Jurgen Klopp was visibly frustrated at the unavailability of Joel Matip, but hinted that exciting forward Harry Wilson could be set to make his senior debut.
Liverpool played out a frustrating 0-0 draw at Anfield against Plymouth in their FA Cup third round clash. This now sees the Reds travel to face the League Two outfit in an attempt to secure qualification to the next round.
Ahead of the game, Jurgen Klopp gave an update on some of the injured players in the squad. Nathaniel Clyne and Lucas Leiva both missed the Old Trafford game due to rib/abdominal and knee issues respectively, but the boss confirmed that the duo have a good chance to make the grade and be available for their weekend match against Swansea City.
Klopp also confirmed that, barring any injury issues to Loris Karius, the German is set to start in goal for the Reds against Plymouth. On the other hand, exciting young forward and Under-23 captain Harry Wilson was kept out of the Under-23s narrow 1-0 loss to Manchester United, which has fueled speculation that the player may be set to make his senior debut.
“If nothing happens, yes, then Loris [will play]. Harry Wilson is a wonderful young player, that’s how it is, in a few moments, I was impressed. We need to have the choice of what we can do and he is part of all our thoughts for this game and we will see.”
Jurgen Klopp was visibly frustrated at the situation surrounding Joel Matip’s unavailability during the African Cup of Nations. The boss said that he does not have prior experience of being in such a situation, and with the fixture congestion, Matip’s unavailability is tasking, especially when he is fit and ready to play.
“In England, in our situation, that would mean United involved, Plymouth involved, Swansea involved, then another seven days, another two games. It’s kind of, from January 2, eight games or something.
“At the end, if the result is what we think it will be – even if they open a case – and everything is OK with Joel, then he didn’t play eight games, or let me say four because he was injured before, without doing anything wrong.”
Jurgen and the Kop would hope the air of uncertainty around Matip’s eligibility clears up quickly and that the Reds are able to deploy him, starting from the game against Swansea City.
