Joel Matip spotted with a brand new look at Liverpool’s training ground today

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If there’s one man who’s missing injured Liverpool player Joel Matip more than anyone, it’s Virgil van Dijk.

The Reds captain has a famously close relationship with Matip, who has been one heck of centre-back partner for him over the years. With the Cameroonian now out for the season and his contract coming to and end, it’s unlikely we’ll ever see them together on the pitch again.

That doesn’t mean that we won’t be treated to some gems off the field while Matip is still about, though. Thankfully, we’ve been gifted one today.

We haven’t seen anything of the 32-year-old since his injury in December. But today, that changed. With cameras following Liverpool’s players arriving for training via the club’s official X account, Van Dijk is captured strolling into the building.

There, he spots Matip, and although the injured defender tries to escape the camera, Van Dijk pulls him back with a grin. Joel’s glances across looking surprised, and we can see that he’s been busy growing a full beard during his time out of the spotlight. Looking good, big man!

Matip spotted at the AXA

It’s now been over two months since Matip suffered the ACL injury which will see out his Liverpool contract. In that time, we really haven’t heard anything at all of how he’s been progressing.

To be fair, there’s probably not really too much to say. It’s clear that Liverpool’s No.32 will not be back before the end of the season and so there’s no need for regular updates from Jurgen Klopp.

Having said that, it would be good to get some kind of clarity over Matip’s role in the future.

It’s true that with Klopp leaving there are bigger issues now at hand. But the less uncertainty the better and it would be nice to put this to bed one way or another.

In truth, it’s really quite difficult to know where Matip now stands. On the one hand, he might have been more likely to get a new contract with Klopp still around. The 56-year-old knows what to expect from the centre-back and has shown loyalty towards him in the past.

On the other though, maybe a new manager coming in will take a look at the squad and feel as though Matip can still be useful, too.

It’s likely that a new coach will be sorted out officially or unofficially long before the end of the campaign. That should allow things like expiring contracts to be boxed off one way or another. Who’s to say that the new man won’t see Matip as being part of his plans.

For now though, it’s simply nice to see Joel around. He was having a really good season before injury cruelly struck.

Anyway, whatever the future holds, he should keep the beard!