Jurgen Klopp admitted that he needs “advice” over the ongoing Joel Matip situation at Liverpool, as the club are still unsure if they can play him.
Following an excellent start to his career at Anfield, Matip has been sidelined in the last few weeks due to the confusion surrounding his eligibility to play for Liverpool during the African Cup of Nations. Despite retiring for Cameroon in 2015, the club could be punished for selecting the centre-back as a result of the former’s dispute.
FIFA will make a decision on Friday as to whether they’ll open an investigation into the matter, but that process could rule Matip out of the Reds’ next four games, not including their FA Cup third round replay at Plymouth Argyle later this evening.
As the confusion and frustration continues to fester on Merseyside, Klopp admitted that he needs some advice before making a decision on Matip’s return to the first-team.
“We have had a lot of talks over the days and weeks,” the Liverpool boss said (via the Telegraph). “Of course I need advice, I’m not a lawyer. But the decision is for me to make. I could put him in the line-up. I don’t think the referee is going to say ‘stop, stop, you cannot go on the pitch’. I will do it when it’s okay from our point of view.”
The 25-year-old has scored one goal and averaged seven defensive actions-per-game in 12 Premier League appearances this term, winning 56% of his average duels, as Liverpool sit third on 45 points, seven behind leaders Chelsea.
Following tonight’s game at Home Park, they take on Swansea City at Anfield on Saturday, before facing Southampton in the EFL Cup semi-final second leg.
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