Key Liverpool defender to miss the whole festive programme

Joe Williams

Liverpool defender Joel Matip could be missing for up to a month with a thigh injury, according to reports.

Matip sustained the injury during the Reds’ impressive 3-0 victory over Stoke City on Wednesday night and will definitely miss Saturday’s match against Brighton in the Premier League.

The Liverpool Echo claims that the centre-back is a major doubt for the whole festive programme with Matip also certain to miss out on Wednesday’s Champions League clash at Anfield with Spartak Moscow.

If Liverpool’s fears are realised then Matip will miss eight matches in December with a growing feeling that he could be out until January.

Dejan Lovren and Ragnar Klavan are the two other fit centre-backs available to Jurgen Klopp, while Joe Gomez – who impressed for England recently – could be deployed in the centre.