As centre-back Joel Matip limped off the pitch in Liverpool’s third pre-season match at Wigan Atheltic on Sunday, you would’ve been forgiven for thinking that someone (or something) really had it in for manager Jürgen Klopp. That is because Matip became the third centre-back in only a few days to sustain an injury, putting Klopp’s plans to solve Liverpool’s defensive problems next season in serious jeopardy.
However, the charismatic German played down such possibilities, claiming that Matip’s ankle injury was not too serious and it seems as though Klopp was right. According to the Liverpool Echo, scan results on Monday showed that no serious damage has been sustained to the Cameroon international’s ankle, only bruising.
Matip has featured in all three of Liverpool’s pre-season fixtures and has given fans and experts reason to believe he’ll be a success at the club. The former Schalke defender impressed alongside fellow centre-back Dejan Lovren, keeping three clean sheets.
Although it’s still unclear whether he will be fit for Liverpool’s third pre-season clash at Huddersfield Town on Wednesday, Reds fans will still be relieved to hear that his ankle injury is indeed not too serious and hope that Matip will be available for the side’s upcoming pre-season tour of the United States.
The 24-year-old will have a new teammate to back him up and offer some competition very soon, as Augsburg defender Ragnar Klavan is set for a medical ahead of a £4.2 million move to Anfield.
Reds boss Klopp will be happy to strengthen his defence after losing two centre-backs in Joe Gomez and Mamadou Sakho to injury, however, he will surely be even more happier to know that he won’t lose a third in Matip.