Liverpool defender Joel Matip has seemingly made his greatest strides since suffering a season-ending ankle ligament injury.
The Cameroonian centre-back was spotted back on the grass at the club’s state of the art Kirkby training centre, three months after the 29-year-old was ruled out for the remainder of the campaign.
Matip was the third and final frontline central defender to be diagnosed with a crippling setback, following Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez to the treatment room.
Jurgen Klopp has previously stated he hopes to have his main options back for pre-season as the Reds aim to win back at least one of their recently acquired trophies.
That timeline looks set to be accurate as Matip made a return to light running duties on Wednesday this week.
Twitter: Joel Matip takes pictured back in some form of training as he makes his return from injury #Liverpoolfc https://t.co/odB0gznqFQ (@AnythingLFC_)
Prior to the ankle issue picked up against Tottenham in January, the 27-cap retired international star had played 12 times in all competitions for the Reds – earning an impressive average Sofascore rating of 7.14.
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Although Liverpool’s failings this term stretch beyond defensive frailties, it’s nearly impossible to legislate for all three senior centre-backs to be ruled out for significant months of the season.
Matip is a widely underestimated performer when fit, albeit fitness has been an ongoing problem for the ex-Schalke ace.
For that reason, Klopp could be set to bolster his options in the department to the tune of Ibrahima Konate and current loan-sensation Ozan Kabak this summer.
