Matip facing extended spell on the sidelines

Liverpool are set to be without defender Joel Matip for the next six weeks as he continues to recover from a knee injury. Former Cameroon international Matip played the full 90 minutes of the 1-1 draw at Manchester United on October 20 but has since missed the Champions League win over Genk and Sunday’s 2-1 triumph over Tottenham Hotspur.
The 28-year-old has been struggling with a knee injury since the clash at Old Trafford and it is now thought he will be out of action for the next six weeks due to the issue.
Premier League leaders Liverpool had initially thought the problem was only a minor one but he suffered a setback during his recovery, meaning he could be sidelined until December.
Matip has been the preferred choice alongside Dutchman Virgil van Dijk at the heart of defence this season and his absence will be a big blow as the games start to come thick and fast.
The Cameroonian, who arrived at Anfield in July 2016 after his contract at Schalke expired, has made 10 appearances this term, helping the reigning European champions keep three clean sheets, while he has also scored two goals along the way.
Matip also won the September Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) Player of the Month award.
German tactician Jurgen Klopp will now have to choose between either Joe Gomez or Dejan Lovren to partner Van Dijk in defence as the Reds continue their quest for a maiden Premier League title.
England international Gomez and Croatia star Lovren have been in and out of the first team this season, usually vying for starts in the EFL Cup and Champions League, but the duo will both be hoping to impress if handed an opportunity.
Liverpool return to action on Wednesday night when they welcome Arsenal to Anfield for EFL Cup fourth-round action before the Reds then make the trip to Aston Villa, who lost 3-0 at Manchester City last time out, on Saturday as they look to extend their unbeaten record in the Premier League to 11 matches this season.