Liverpool take on Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday and according to Mirror’s David Maddock, centre-back Joel Matip is not expected to be fit in time for this high-profile clash.
Maddock writes: “Joel Matip is running out of time to prove his fitness ahead of Sunday’s table-topping clash with Manchester United.
“It is understood the Liverpool centre half has progressed to training in specially-prepared sessions with the physios, as he returns following an adductor injury sustained against West Brom on December 27
“Matip is back running and working with a ball on grass, but he has yet to train with the first-team squad, and Klopp would need to see him train for two sessions with his team-mates, and come through with no reaction, to be ready.”
Joel Matip was expected to be back in time for the Manchester United game but now it seems Jurgen Klopp will once again have to name a makeshift centre-back pairing on Sunday.
Van Dijk and Joe Gomez are already out for significant periods meaning Fabinho might be partnered by midfielder Jordan Henderson in defence.
The Liverpool manager also has the option of using youngsters like Rhys Williams and Nat Phillips in place of Joel Matip but we doubt if the German will want to risk playing a youngster against the likes of Cavani and Rashford.
Matip has featured in only eight Premier League games this season for Liverpool, scoring one and assisting two goals.
In their last league game, Liverpool went ahead with the pairing of Henderson and Fabinho in central defence and if Joel Matip is not a 100% then Klopp will have to name the same back line vs Manchester United as well.
