Last December Joe Gomez had his leg broken by Ben Mee at Burnley. This seemed to be a disaster for Liverpool as the young Englishman had established a solid partnership with Virgil van Dijk. Thankfully, Joel Matip stepped up to the plate and quickly became one of Europe’s most improved players. The Cameroonian has been (barring one appearance) absent since the September with a knee problem. Jürgen Klopp has offered a Joel Matip injury update.
The boss was asked about the centre back’s fitness at his pre-match press conference, broadcast on the club’s official site. He told the media:
“Joel needs a bit more time, it’s healing but it’s not exactly what we wished for. That will take a while.”
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The gaffer told us last week that Matip was having scans last Friday, it looks as though these scans weren’t too positive.
This knee injury has seen the defender miss every game since September – barring the draw with Manchester United in October.
Since he has been out, Jürgen Klopp has given another shot to Dejan Lovren; for the most part the Croatian has impressed, he looks like a new man playing alongside Virgil van Dijk.
This Joel Matip injury update surely means that we won’t see the Cameroonian this side of Christmas, fingers crossed he is fit again in the New Year.
However, Matip won’t be expecting to just walk back into the side, Joe Gomez was not afforded that luxury when he recovered from his knee injury – the Englishman is still waiting for his shot.
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