---
title: "Matip to miss Southampton fixture with thigh injury"
canonical: "https://readliverpoolfc.com/news/matip-miss-southampton-fixture-thigh-injury/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Ryan Darby"
section: "Liverpool News"
published: "2017-11-18T10:35:16Z"
modified: "2017-11-18T10:35:16Z"
---

# Matip to miss Southampton fixture with thigh injury

Liverpool have been dealt an early blow ahead of Saturday’s game against Southampton with the news that defender Joel Matip will miss the game through injury.

The [Liverpool Echo](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/liverpool-injury-blow-joel-matip-13919481) reports that a thigh injury means he is unlikely to feature against the Saints at Anfield.

Croatian defender Dejan Lovren is likely to be named in the starting XI ahead of Matip, playing alongside Ragnar Klavan.

![Shaun Botterill/Getty Images Sport](https://cdn.readeverything.co/readliverpoolfc/2017/11/865031576.jpg)

Lovren has not featured for the Reds since their defeat to Tottenham at Wembley, where the defender found his name in the headlines for a shambolic defensive performance.

The news is a timely reminder of the defensive situation at Anfield, as Virgil van Dijk prepares to face the team that chased his signature throughout the summer.

Jurgen Klopp will undoubtedly look to try and sign the Dutchman again in January with defensive issues still getting the better of the Reds in the Premier League.