Liverpool may need to sign a defender after Joel Matip injury

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Liverpool may need to sign a defender after Jurgen Klopp revealed Joel Matip has suffered anterior cruciate ligament injury that could end his SEASON

  • Liverpool may have to sign a defender following Joel Matip’s ACL injury 
  • Jurgen Klopp is short of defensive options following the injury to Matip 
  • IAN LADYMAN: Liverpool are two players short for another great period – It’s All Kicking Off 

Liverpool could be forced into signing a defender in January, with Jurgen Klopp revealing on Wednesday night that Joel Matip ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in Sunday’s win over Fulham at Anfield.

The Reds beat Sheffield United on Wednesday night after goals from Virgil Van Dijk and Dominik Szoboszlai but Klopp confirmed after the match that the Cameroon international is facing a battle to play again this season.

It means Matip has potentially played his last game for Liverpool, with the 32-year-old’s contract up in the summer. ‘It’s an ACL, ruptured,’ said Klopp. ‘That’s unfortunately what I expected from the first second. It looked like that. Very unfortunate, but that’s it.’

Liverpool are not yet aware of the timeframe on Matip’s injury but he will require surgery and is likely to miss the remainder of this season. He had started nine of 15 Premier League games this season.

The Reds are now thin on the ground defensively and 20-year-old Jarell Quansah will be expected to get minutes to supplement Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez, who is often needed to fill in at full-back. It could prompt them into assessing the transfer market.

Liverpool may have to sign a defender after Joel Matip suffered an ACL injury against Fulham

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is short of defensive options following the injury to Matip

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Matip’s injury adds to a growing list of absentees for Klopp, who is also without Andy Robertson, Thiago Alcantara, Alisson, Stefan Bajcetic and Diogo Jota. Youngster Ben Doak, who was set to feature during the Christmas period, limped off during an Under 21s match on Tuesday.

And Alexis Mac Allister required stitches on his knee after a bad tackle during the clash at Bramall Lane on Wednesday night. Klopp said: ‘Open wound. We wrapped it. We stitched it. He couldn’t continue. We will see how long we will be out. Hopefully not too long.’

Alexis Mac Allister required stitches on his knee after a bad challenge against Sheffield United

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