Jurgen Klopp confirmed doubts that Joel Matip’s latest injury setback could sideline the Cameroon international central defender for up to three weeks as he was absent for Liverpool FC’s stalemate at St. James’ Park on Wednesday.
Matip had been withdrawn from the Anfield turf over the weekend during the 1-1 draw against West Brom as the 29-year-old sustained an adductor strain and Nathaniel Phillips had subsequently replaced Matip in the Merseysiders starting eleven for the Newcastle visit.
Speaking to the club’s official website after the game, Klopp gave rise to more fears surrounding Liverpool FC’s worsening fate on the injury front by admitting that Matip’s adductor strain ruled out the defender from the first-team action for the normal recovery period associated with such injuries.
“The normal stuff with these kind of injuries, [he will be out for] around about three weeks.”
The Liverpool FC boss’s recent remarks do indicate the ever-increasing need for the Premier League holders to go into the January transfer window with the objective of adding a fresh face to the defensive core at Anfield.
Potential season-ending layoffs for both Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez, coupled with Matip’s constant spree of injury niggles mean that Jurgen Klopp could be tempted to make a move for long-term target Ozan Kabak should the German coach feel the heat from the club’s fanbase.
