MATIP OUT FOR 6 WEEKS IN KLOPP CRISIS
LIVERPOOL face a defensive crisis after Joel Matip was ruled out for six weeks with a broken collarbone. The Cameroon centre back could miss as many as 10 games during the busiest period of the season after being hurt in the final minute of Liverpool’s 1-0 win over Napoli. Matip needs surgery after his collision with Senegal defender Kalidou Koulibaly on Tuesday. The blow could not have come at a worse time for manager Jurgen Klopp, who last week saw Joe Gomez ruled out for six weeks. The England defender broke his left leg in a 3-1 win at Burnley but does not need surgery. Matip, who had started the last three matches, is a valuable member of the squad and his absence leaves Virgil van Dijk and Dejan Lovren — just recovered from concussion — as the club’s only fit senior central defenders. If either were injured, Klopp would have to use Brazil midfielder Fabinho in defence and possibly James Milner as a right back. Klopp is short of options there, too, with Nathaniel Clyne out and Trent AlexanderArnold struggling with an ankle problem. Van Dijk, meanwhile, is suspended for the first leg of Liverpool’s last-16 tie after he was booked for an ugly challenge on Napoli forward Dries Mertens. But Dutch international Van Dijk rejected claims that he could have been shown a red card. ‘I don’t think it was a bad challenge,’ he said. ‘Unfortunately, I touched him but I would never go in to hurt him. ‘I told him I never had the intention to hit him. I’m now suspended so I was a bit disappointed but we have plenty of quality players. It’s a great time to be a Liverpool fan or player. ‘Manchester United are next. It’s a huge game but not a decisive one. We want to win and will try everything to make that happen.’