MATIP RULED OUT UNTIL NEXT YEAR

LIVERPOOL have a defensive headache after Joel Matip was ruled out for the entire Christmas programme. The Cameroonian has been troubled by a thigh issue and it forced him to miss the Southampton game three weeks ago. He featured in the 3-0 win at Stoke this week, only to complain of a problem afterwards. He had tests at Melwood and it has emerged the damage is sufficient enough for him to be ruled out for the next month, starting with today’s trip to Brighton. It leaves manager Jurgen Klopp with a problem as he was hoping to rotate his squad and protect his tired players. But he will now have to rely on Dejan Lovren and Ragnar Klavan, who was absent at Stoke, more than he would like. Lovren, in particular, has struggled with niggling injuries. Klopp said: ‘It looks like Matip is out. He had a problem, muscle-wise. We have to make the final assessment but it doesn’t look like he is available. Adam Lallana is still building fitness. Klavan was ill but hopefully he is not anymore, especially when you think about Joel Matip’s situation.’