11 months ago
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Joel Matip of Liverpool in action during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Fulham FC at Anfield on December 03, 2023 in Liverpool, England. | Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
The Liverpool midfielder made an impact off the bench
Defender Joël Matip was subbed off due to injury in this weekend’s exciting win against Fulham, and head coach Jürgen Klopp has informed fans that they should expect to go without the center back for what could be an extended period — not good news ahead of the holiday fixture congestion:
“We lost today Joel and we have obviously no scan yet, but after all you hear and can see that will not be a short one,” said Klopp after the match. “It’s his knee. Unlucky, but we have to get through this.”
Matip had seen a return to the starting XI initially in place of an injured Ibrahima Konaté, but the former Cameroonian international’s strong form saw him retain his starting position in recent weeks.
Liverpool will now have to rely on Joe Gomez, Virgil Van Dijk, Ibrahima Konaté, and youngster Jarell Quansah for depth at center back (with Joe Gomez also providing backup and tactical options for the right back position — as we saw Sunday).
