Liverpool have made two deadline signings to reinforce their defence and it’s evident why with Klopp confirming that centre-back Joel Matip now ruled out for the remainder of the season.
The Cameroonian defender has been struggling to stay fit as he repeatedly misses matches through injury resulting in Jordan Henderson and Fabinho moving back into defence from midfield.
He received his injury when tackling Tottenham’s forward Son during last Thursday’s 3-1 win in London. He will not be able to play again in the 2020/21 season.
This was all revealed in an official statement by Klopp on the Liverpool website. Klopp said:
“Unfortunately, we found out now after everybody looked at it that Joel will be out for the rest of the season.
“But he will be ready for the start of the next pre-season and finally everything will be sorted.”
Klopp admits they had to rush his recovery at they have to take some of the blame for his repeated injuries.
“If something started and then the situation is like our situation – that nobody can really wait because of our situation with Virgil out and Joe out – we always had to try to find the first moment when he is able to play again.
“It was really unlucky because it was a brilliant challenge he made actually, he saved our life in that moment in the Tottenham game when he won the challenge against Son.
“But he injured his ankle and played the game on and now is out for the season, so you can imagine how much he tried to stay on the pitch and tried to help us.
“We will wait for him. He has now the rest of this season, then the summer, then the pre-season to get ready again and he will be ready again.”
Ozan Kabak and Ben Davies have come in from Schalke and Preston North End to help out their dire defensive situation with Ozan on loan and Ben on a permanent.