Jurgen Klopp confirmed on Tuesday that Joel Matip will miss Liverpool’s UEFA Champions League clash against Red Bull Salzburg on Wednesday.
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The 28-year-old picked up a slight injury against Sheffield United on Saturday, and won’t be fit enough to face the Austrian outfit.
Speaking to the official Liverpool website about Matip, Klopp said: “With Joel, it is not a big one but it is big enough that he is not available for tomorrow night. We don’t want to have any risks and we don’t have to take any risks and that’s why he will not be involved. I don’t know [if he will be available for Leicester City on Saturday], we will see.”
Fortunately, the Reds have cover at centre-back with both Joe Gomez and Dejan Lovren available. Indeed, according to reports from James Pearce on Twitter, it will be the England international who is called upon to partner Virgil van Dijk at the heart of the defence.
Whilst many Liverpool fans are disappointed that Matip will miss out, most are happy that they have excellent squad depth and that someone as good as Gomez can come in as a replacement.
The 22-year-old did actually start the 2018/19 campaign as first choice alongside van Dijk, starting 11 of their opening 15 Premier League matches that season before sustaining an ankle injury against Burnley.
Here is what some Liverpool fans have been saying in reaction to the news that Gomez is likely to start their game against Red Bull Salzburg…
good job he’s class as well
— Jack 🚩 (@jxckcameron) October 1, 2019
The joys of squad depth…
— Malachy McKeever (@MalachyMcKeever) October 1, 2019
Feels nice knowing we have 3 quality cb’s
— 🦋 (@_mikant_) October 1, 2019
It’s great to see the depth of the squad is strong compared to decades of mediocre #YNWA #LFC
— Alan (@Alan45075546) October 1, 2019
Class for class 🙌🏻
— Lachy (@Lachyhough9) October 1, 2019
So weird to have such a good replacement
— Archie (@TheFirminoRoIe) October 1, 2019
Nice to see him back in.
— Paul Dwerryhouse (@pau1d1989) October 1, 2019
Yes he is more solid than Matip.👍👊
— LFC 1976 (@JOACHIMSOOKPRE1) October 1, 2019
Do you think Gomez can adequately compensate for the absence of Matip? Join in the discussion by commenting below!







