Jurgen Klopp provided worrying news about Liverpool’s defense after Joel Matip sustained a knee injury in the match against Fulham. In a post-match talk, Klopp hinted that Matip’s injury is expected to be long-term, following an incident during a seemingly harmless sideline challenge, forcing his substitution in the 68th minute, with Ibrahima Konate stepping in.
As Matip faces a probable extended absence, Liverpool’s defensive choices have narrowed down, leaving Klopp with options like Konate, Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, and Jarell Quansah. Klopp might favor Konate as Van Dijk’s primary partner, though Konate’s recent playing time has been carefully managed. Quansah, who has shown promise in Europa League matches, could also be a compelling choice for crucial games.
Furthermore, Klopp mentioned Alexis Mac Allister’s “knock,” leading to his substitution in the 65th minute. Klopp stressed that Mac Allister’s withdrawal was due more to fatigue than a serious injury. Liverpool faces challenges with several players out, including Alisson, Andy Robertson, Thiago, Stefan Bajcetic, and Diogo Jota, posing difficulties as they navigate a demanding fixture list.
“We lost Joel today. We haven’t got any scans yet, but from what we’ve heard and seen, it’s likely to be a long-term absence,” Klopp stated. “It’s unfortunate, but we need to persevere through this.”
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