{"id":575942,"date":"2020-12-28T12:12:22","date_gmt":"2020-12-28T17:12:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/?p=575942"},"modified":"2020-12-28T12:13:29","modified_gmt":"2020-12-28T17:13:29","slug":"joel-matip-injury-prone-nature-damaging-liverpool-title-push","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2020\/12\/28\/joel-matip-injury-prone-nature-damaging-liverpool-title-push\/","title":{"rendered":"Joel Matip: Defender’s Injury-Prone Nature Slowly Damaging Liverpool Title Push"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n

Joel Matip was forced to withdraw in the second half with a groin injury following Liverpool’s<\/a> 1-1 draw with West Brom.<\/p>\n

The centre-back is now a doubt for the Premier League<\/a> match against Newcastle United<\/a> on Wednesday, and the latest setback has added to the growing injury list with all three senior centre-halves now ruled out.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Matip Injury Issue Strikes Again<\/h2>\n

Jurgen Klopp Has His Say<\/h3>\n

Speaking to the Sky Sports<\/a>, Klopp bemoaned the latest setback, saying: “Joel told me he felt something in his abductor, and that’s obviously not too good.<\/p>\n

“Not sure how serious it is now, but it was serious enough that he had to leave the pitch. The rest of the information I will get tomorrow.<\/p>\n

“That’s not the first time a centre-half is injured, so of course it’s not good especially now when he was in really good shape again.<\/p>\n

“But we cannot change that, and we have to just accept it and carry on.”<\/p>\n

Selection Headache Following Matip Injury<\/h3>\n

Jurgen Klopp’s defensive options have been further depleted with Rhys Williams <\/a>and Nathaniel Phillips<\/a> the only viable options.<\/p>\n

With Virgil van Dijk<\/a> and Joe Gomez<\/a> already sidelined with long-term injuries, Klopp has a major selection problem.<\/p>\n

Rhys Williams<\/a> could deputise alongside Fabinho<\/a>, and although the centre-half has been impressive this season\u2014 continuing to thrust the youngster in at the deep end could backfire.<\/p>\n

Likewise, Nathaniel Phillips<\/a> has only made two Premier League appearances all season and may be too inexperienced to lead the defence.<\/p>\n

January Transfer Window<\/h3>\n

Liverpool have always been reluctant to spend big in the January window. The sole acquisition of Takumi Minamino<\/a> for \u00a37.25 million from Red Bull Salzburg last season showed that.<\/p>\n

However, there is a growing realisation that Matip cannot be expected to stay injury-free\u2014 with Liverpool one defensive setback away from having their title challenge seriously derailed.<\/p>\n

The fact is, the unreliable nature of Matip may leave Liverpool with no choice but to turn to the transfer market next month.<\/p>\n

Jamie Carragher on Liverpool’s Injuries<\/h3>\n

When asked about the situation, Jamie Carragher told Sky Sports<\/a>: “It is a massive worry but it is not a new worry.<\/p>\n

“That is why it is paramount Liverpool sign someone in January. I said that as soon as Virgil van Dijk had his injury. Fabinho has looked like a top-class centre-back, but Matip is just too injury prone. His body just can’t take the rigours of playing in the Premier League week in, week out.<\/p>\n

“I still believe Liverpool are the best team in the league even without Van Dijk. The only way they don’t win it is if they have problems at centre-back where Rhys Williams or Nat Phillips have to play for a prolonged period. It’s not a position for young players. At times they will make mistakes because they are young and learning.<\/p>\n

“Liverpool need someone there to make sure that they don’t end up with two young lads playing there for five or six weeks if, say, Fabinho went down injured.<\/p>\n

“They have to do something in January.”<\/p>\n

Main Photo<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>