Liverpool Team News: Klopp Confirms Double Boost Ahead Of Everton + Matip Update

Liverpool will be looking to keep the pressure on Chelsea when they take on Merseyside rivals Everton at Goodison Park on Monday night.

Ahead of the game, Jurgen Klopp has been speaking to the media at his pre-match press conference this afternoon and he’s offered reporters a team news and injury update.

The Reds boss confirmed that Joel Matip remains a doubt for the game on Monday as he continues to struggle with an ankle injury that’s hampered him in recent weeks.

The Cameroon international returned for the West Ham game last weekend having missed the loss at Bournemouth but he once again sat out Wednesday night’s win over Middlesbrough after aggravating the problem.

Klopp says they will continue to monitor Matip over the weekend but they won’t rush him back for the Everton game so he may have to wait to make his comeback against Stoke on December 27th.

The Liverpool manager had more positive news on Emre Can as the midfielder was able to train without pain on Thursday after recovering from a knee injury which has kept him out of the last two matches.

Klopp says that as long as the German international is able to train without issue today and on Saturday then he will be involved against Everton on Monday night which would be a big boost for the Reds.

The final injury update was regarding the fitness of Daniel Sturridge and the striker could also return against Everton after missing the last five matches in all competitions with a niggling calf injury.

There is a chance Sturridge could return to full training today or tomorrow having spent time doing light training work on his own this week and that would put him in contention to make an appearance against Everton.

Klopp is quoted as saying by the Mirror:

“It’s a maybe [for Sturridge]. He’s closer to team training than last week. It’s possible we could work with him today or tomorrow.”

“Emre is in a pretty good way. It is a strange injury. He felt no pain yesterday. If he is ready to train today or tomorrow he will be involved.”

“We haven’t made a decision [on Matip]. It’s a bit of a painful ankle. We have to see whether to try him for Everton or give him few more days.”

I’m sure Klopp will be praying that Matip is able to prove his fitness ahead of the trip to Goodison Park as he’s been a key player for Liverpool since joining the club from Schalke in the summer. Ragnar Klavan is on stand-by to continue at the back if he’s ruled out.