Joel Matip is now on the growing injury list of Liverpool and in doubt for the Crystal Palace clash at Anfield.
Liverpool‘s defender Joel Matip missed the Friday training session due to a groin problem. The 31-year-old started both the competitive matches for the Reds this season. The Community Shield and the opening day Premier League fixture at Craven Cottage.
Injury has become a major issue for Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp once again. Liverpool started their 2022/23 season with 9 players on their injury list and Thiago joined the bench during the Fulham game. After an outstanding quadruple chase last season, the Reds will be out again for challenging all the titles.
Despite the impending returns of Naby Keita and Kostas Tsimikas. Both of whom Jurgen Klopp says are in contention to play against Crystal Palace, a number of Liverpool’s senior players remain out.
What impact will injury of Matip have on the Reds?
Matip becomes the new addition to Liverpool’s injury woes as he joins, Caoimhin Kelleher, Ibrahima Konate, Calvin Ramsay, Thiago, Curtis Jones, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Kaide Gordon and Diogo Jota. These players will be missing the first home game of the season against Crystal Palace.
With Konate still out and in France, due to his injury. Joe Gomez would start alongside Virgil van Dijk if Matip gets ruled out.
Liverpool’s defensive injuries are affecting the futures of Nat Phillips and Sepp van den Berg, who were expected to leave on permanent or loan deals this summer. The boss said that the Konate injury mean Phillips would have to stay put for now. Despite the interest from the likes of Fulham and Bournemouth, the Reds duo will likely be staying at Anfield.
Van den Berg was seen on the bench against Fulham in the season opener. He is been attracting interest from Championship clubs, with Blackburn reported to be at the front. However, the transfer is now on hold due to Liverpool’s injury concerns. With Matip and Konate injured, the Reds need these two players to stay back this summer in order to support Virgil and Gomez. Rather than investing in new players this summer, Klopp would prefer to trust the old pairing.
Let’s hope Matip’s absence from Friday’s session was nothing more than a precaution. As Liverpool set themselves up to face Crystal Palace on 15th August 2022 at Anfield.
