Liverpool's injury crisis has deepened with reports that Joel Matip is set to join the club's growing casualty list. The centre-back is expected to miss Monday's Premier League clash against Crystal Palace at Anfield due to a groin problem.
Matip, 31, sat out training on Friday as a precaution, according to The Telegraph. He becomes the eighth Liverpool player sidelined, joining Ibrahima Konate, Thiago Alcantara, Diogo Jota, Curtis Jones, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Calvin Ramsey and reserve goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher.
With Konate already out with a knee injury, Matip had partnered Virgil van Dijk in defence for last weekend's season opener against Fulham. Joe Gomez is expected to deputise, provided he is fully fit after missing most of last season with a patella tendon injury. Nat Phillips and Sepp van den Berg are also options, though Liverpool may reconsider loaning out the latter.
Manager Jurgen Klopp confirmed Naby Keita has recovered from illness and is in contention, while Harvey Elliott could start in place of Thiago, who faces four to six weeks out with a hamstring injury. Kostas Tsimikas has also recovered.
Speaking on Friday, Klopp said: “I am happy with the strength, size and quality of my squad. We have injuries, that's how it is. The transfer market only makes sense if you can bring in the right player, not a player.”
