Jurgen Klopp faces another defensive setback as Joel Matip joins the injury list ahead of Liverpool’s Premier League clash with Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on Wednesday.
Despite securing a victory in a thrilling seven-goal match against Fulham on Sunday, Matip was forced off with a knee injury during the second half at Anfield.
Klopp, in his post-game press conference, acknowledged that the Cameroonian center-back will be sidelined for an extended period, joining other injured players such as Alisson Becker, Diogo Jota, Andrew Robertson, Thiago Alcantara, and Stefan Bajcetic this week.
Matip has frequently outperformed Ibrahima Konate in the Premier League this season, but now, the Frenchman will have the opportunity to secure his rightful place in the backline, where Virgil van Dijk will partner with him in front of stand-in goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher.
Following his sensational match-winning goal over the weekend, Trent Alexander-Arnold will maintain his attacking presence on the right, while Joe Gomez is in contention to replace Kostas Tsimikas in the left-back position.
Similar uncertainties exist in the midfield, with Curtis Jones’s fresh legs potentially preferred over Ryan Gravenberch, although Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister, who scored a goal-of-the-season contender on Sunday with a 30-yard piledriver, are likely to retain their roles.
On the wings, Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz are set to continue their roles, but after Darwin Nunez’s lackluster performance in front of goal against Fulham, Cody Gakpo could be gearing up for a return to Liverpool’s attack.
