Joel Matip’s season is likely to be over after the defender is set to have surgery on a thigh injury sustained in Saturday’s win over Crystal Palace, the club confirmed this afternoon.
The centre-back did complete the whole 90 minutes at Selhurst Park during the 2-1 win over Roy Hodgson’s men, but assessments after the game revealed the need for an operation.
It’s thought the surgery will end Matip’s involvement in the 2017/18 season.
One player’s misfortune is another’s fortune, as the absence of the Cameroonian will mean a recall for Dejan Lovren to the starting line-up for Wednesday’s Champions League tie with Man City, as well as going forward for the remainder of the campaign.
The loss of Matip will leave Jurgen Klopp with fewer options at the back. Since Virgil van Dijk joined the club, he’s intermittently rotated Lovren and Matip next to the Dutchman.
He does still have Ragnar Klavan at his disposal, however, and it may allow him to begin trialling Joe Gomez in the middle, when he eventually returns to fitness.
