Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has revealed that Joel Matip will be out for another "two weeks", and he will therefore likely miss the game against Manchester United on Monday.
The Cameroonian, who is the German's go to man in the Premier League when available, came off injured in training last Friday ahead of the Crystal Palace match.
He was expected to be replaced by Joe Gomez, but instead the less experienced Nat Phillips began the game.
The England international was introduced from the bench after an hour, but large sectors of the Liverpool fanbase didn’t understand why he wasn’t handed a starting birth.
Advert
Klopp clarified “Joey [Gomez] didn’t start because he only trained yesterday again. At the start of the week, [he had] a little issue.”
Ibrahima Konaté is of course also side-lined with a leg injury which Klopp has admitted could keep the Frenchman “out for a while.”
Advert
The injuries are piling up at Liverpool and the feeling at Anfield is eerily similar to the one which surrounded the club during the 2020/21 season.
Not only are there issues at centre-back, but also in midfield and attack.
In the engine room, Liverpool are missing Thiago Alcantara and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain who are both nursing hamstring injuries.
And up front, Diogo Jota continues to struggle with his own hamstring issues, while Darwin Nuñez will miss the next 3 Premier League games after being sent off against Palace last night.
Advert
Liverpool’s strong squad depth will come in handy at Manchester United next week, ensuring their starting XI doesn’t look too makeshift.
But if more players find themselves on the treatment table at Liverpool’s AXA training ground, this season could be a long one for Reds fans.
Topics: Joel Matip, Liverpool, Manchester United
Robert Worthington