Liverpool are hopeful that Joel Matip will return from injury for the crucial Premier League clash with Manchester United, according to The Athletic‘s James Pearce.
The Cameroonian has been absent since injuring his groin in the 1-1 draw at home to West Brom on December 27th, acting as yet another fitness blow to Jurgen Klopp.
Liverpool host United in a vital meeting on January 17th, with Fabinho the only current fit option there, barring youngsters Rhys Williams and Nathaniel Phillips.
Speaking on the Red Agenda podcast [via This Is Anfield], Pearce confirmed that Matip would hopefully be in contention for the game:
(Matip) should be back…the hope is that he will be fit for the Man United game which is looming large on the horizon.
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Matip being available would be an enormous boost, ahead of what could even be a season-defining game at Anfield.
A win would make Liverpool’s disappointing last three games no issue, but further dropped points could be costly in the title race.
United have a host of dangerous attacking players, from Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford, so Klopp will need to have his best possible defensive unit at his disposal.
Matip’s return still shouldn’t ignore the fact that a January addition is needed at centre-back, however, with the 29-year-old almost incapable of staying fit for long periods.
He will have to be managed expertly between now and the end of the season – expecting him to play three times a week is unrealistic.
