{"id":312940,"date":"2018-12-12T17:31:00","date_gmt":"2018-12-12T22:31:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonfootball.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=312940"},"modified":"2018-12-12T17:31:00","modified_gmt":"2018-12-12T22:31:00","slug":"joel-matip-injury-blow-adds-to-liverpools-woe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2018\/12\/12\/joel-matip-injury-blow-adds-to-liverpools-woe\/","title":{"rendered":"Joel Matip Injury Blow Adds to Liverpool’s Woe"},"content":{"rendered":"

Liverpool<\/a> have suffered another injury blow, with news that centre-back Joel Matip<\/a> faces time on the sidelines.<\/p>\n

Joel Matip Injury Blow Adds to Liverpool’s Woe<\/h1>\n

The Cameroon international has suffered a fractured collarbone following an aerial challenge late in Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League win against Napoli.<\/p>\n

Liverpoolfc.com<\/a> have confirmed that early indications show the former Schalke 04 man is likely to be missing for around six weeks. The German-born defender\u00a0will now undergo surgery.<\/p>\n

Matip is an important part of Liverpool’s squad and this is a huge blow to their defensive capabilities, with Joe Gomez also ruled out with a fractured leg. Dejan Lovren<\/a> returned to the bench for last night’s encounter but is short of match fitness. To top it off, Trent Alexander-Arnold<\/a>\u00a0also went off late in the game with a knock.<\/p>\n

It will be interesting who The Reds rely on to fill the void alongside Virgil van Dijk.<\/a> Youngsters Nathaniel Philips and Conor Masterson could well be in line for a call-up to the first-team squad.<\/p>\n

The Reds may consider reassessing their January transfer plans. Although, Matip should be back by the end of the transfer window if the diagnosis of six-weeks is correct.<\/p>\n

Fixture List Isn’t Kind<\/h2>\n

In the short-term, Jurgen Klopp will be worried as they negotiate the busy festive period. The League leaders face bitter rivals Manchester United<\/a> this weekend at Anfield. They then have games against Wolves<\/a> and Newcastle<\/a>, before entertaining Arsenal<\/a>\u00a0and travelling to Manchester City<\/a>\u00a0either side of New year’s day.<\/p>\n

The Reds may have to rely on youngsters to get them through the busy festive period and it could be a big dent to their title hopes. They may sit top for now but with some big games coming up, an inexperienced defence is the last thing they needed.<\/p>\n

Main Photo<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>