Worries that Joel Matip may have played his last game for Liverpool due to a knee injury that might keep him out for months have been raised.



A new record number of injuries have occurred in the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/watch-premier-league-on-us-tv-internet/">Premier League</a> as of late. During the first three months of the 2023-24 English top flight, there have been around 200 injuries. Expert statistics analyst Ben Dinnery of <a href="https://www.premierinjuries.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Premier Injuries</a> claims a 15% rise as compared to the previous four seasons, as per <a href="https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/67417862" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BBC</a>.



The injury epidemic continues to worsen, and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/liverpool-tv-schedule/">Liverpool</a>’s defense is the latest casualty. Matip is waiting for the scan findings after suffering an injury in the second half of the thrilling 4-3 win against Fulham last Sunday.



<h2>What did Jurgen Klopp say?</h2>



Seizing the opportunity presented by Ibrahima Konate’s fitness challenges, the Cameroonian reclaimed his position as Virgil van Dijk’s consistent defensive partner for the current season. He started in nine league games, solidifying his role alongside the Dutchman.



During Fulham’s weekend visit to Anfield, the 32-year-old was once again handed the nod. Despite that, he only got 69 minutes of playing time. The unfavorable outlook was acknowledged right away by Jurgen Klopp.



Although Klopp confirmed in <a href="https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/lfc-injury-update-joel-matip-alisson-becker-and-diogo-jota" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tuesday’s news conference</a> that the former Schalke player will not be playing for the club for the foreseeable future, the results of Matip’s scans are still pending: ‘It doesn’t look great’ … but we have to wait for the scans and the scan isn’t here yet.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20231206_WST_475276_Joel-Matip-injury-1200x675.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=675" alt="" class="wp-image-475355" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/12/Joel-Matip-injury-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/12/Joel-Matip-injury-300x169.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/12/Joel-Matip-injury-768x432.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/12/Joel-Matip-injury.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure><figcaption>Joel Matip has started nine games for Liverpool this season, but his biggest moment was the game-losing own goal against Tottenham. </figcaption></figure>



“You can imagine it doesn’t look great. It is never good news [when a doctor says that immediately]. I’ve never had that in all my years where someone says: ‘Oh my God, it’s completely wrong and there’s nothing wrong, he can play tomorrow.’ It doesn’t happen.”



<h2>Joel Matip injury puts question marks on Liverpool future</h2>



Unfortunately, Matip’s knee injury will keep him out of action for “several months,” according to a report in <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/dec/05/liverpools-joel-matip-set-to-be-ruled-out-for-months-with-knee-ligament-injury" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Guardian</a>. He may just be able to make a respectable comeback before the season ends. That indicates he may have played in the Reds’ last game.



The 32-year-old’s contract will expire in the summer, allowing him to start negotiations with international teams in January. Along with losing his starting spot to a fully healthy Konate, he is not anticipated to secure an extension from the Anfield side.



But rumor has it that Klopp is ready to greenlight a new contract for Matip. The defender joined Liverpool on a free transfer in 2016. The defender has scored 11 goals and supplied six assists in 201 appearances.



However, since leaving the Bundesliga, the former Cameroon international has suffered through a string of injuries. Due to a history of knee injuries, he sat out a significant portion of the 2019-20 season. He did the same in 2020-21 due to an ankle issue.



The Reds’ journey to Premier League cellar-dwellers Sheffield United on Wednesday will be without their starting center-back. On Dec. 9, at Selhurst Park, Liverpool faces Crystal Palace, and Matip will not feature.



PHOTOS: IMAGO.

Liverpool player's injury raises concerns about future with club

The injury that Joel Matip sustained in the win over Fulham has led to speculations that the player may have played his final Liverpool game.

The <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/teams/liverpool-tv-schedule/">Liverpool </a>injury crisis continues as Joël Matip and Trent Alexander-Arnold join the list of players to hit the sidelines. Including these two, Liverpool has eight senior players unavailable due to various injuries.



Both Matip and Alexander-Arnold are set to miss two weeks. Matip has a calf issue, while his English teammate picked up an ankle injury.



At the weekend, the Reds suffered a 3-2 defeat against <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/teams/arsenal-tv-schedule/">Arsenal</a>. Following the loss, Liverpool sits 10th in the Premier League table. Those league-leading Gunners have a 14 point cushion over Liverpool, with Arsenal playing one more game. In fact, Jürgen Klopp’s team failed to win a league game in September. The club’s last league victory came at home to Newcastle on Aug. 31. Of course, Liverpool only had two games in the league during September. The Premier League postponed two of those games. 



Injuries are a theme for Klopp in the early stages of this campaign. In particular, his midfield took a hit with issues to Thiago Alcantara, Jordan Henderson, Naby Keita, Curtis Jones, Arthur Melo and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Fortunately, Henderson and Thiago have recovered. Yet, Liverpool is still without the other four midfielders.



<h2>The Liverpool injury crisis in 2022/23</h2>



Jones, who has not featured at all so far this season, is recovering from a fractured tibia. Recently, the midfielder rejoined training. His return to full fitness and availability for selection is on the near horizon.



Klopp left Keita and Oxlade-Chamberlain off of the club’s Champions League squads. They most likely fall down in the pecking order of playing time. However, the manager added that they are still requiring extra time to recover from muscle injuries.



Arthur arrived at Anfield in at the final stages of the summer transfer window. In fact, he came in to ease the Liverpool injury crisis. Unfortunately, the Brazilian has encountered his own issues. Arthur only managed 13 total minutes on the pitch for the Reds so far. Now, he looks to miss three or four months of time following surgery to his quad.



Andy Robertson and <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/news/luis-diaz-injury-sidelines-forward-through-world-cup-20221010-WST-403697.html">Luis Diaz</a> have also picked up injuries as well. The two vastly important players are the biggest losses for Klopp and company. Diaz also suffered an injury in the Arsenal match. He is slated to miss two months due to knee problems. Robertson could, however, be set to feature at the weekend. Liverpool’s next Premier League game is against Manchester City on Sunday.



PHOTO: IMAGO / Pro Sports Images

Joel Matip and Trent Alexander-Arnold are the latest names to join the Liverpool injury crisis. Both picked up knocks against Arsenal.

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Fulham

Liverpool player's injury raises concerns about future with club

Injury News

Matip, Alexander-Arnold add to growing Liverpool injury crisis