Liverpool Confirm Huge Injury Blow Ahead Of Man City Showdown

Liverpool have been dealt a major blow ahead of their Champions League clash with Manchester City after confirming that Joel Matip will miss the rest of the season with a thigh injury.

Matip sustained the problem during Saturday’s 2-1 comeback victory over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park but was able to complete the full ninety minutes.

However, further assessment of the injury after the game revealed the centre-back is likely to require surgery which will rule Matip out for the remainder of the season.

The news will come as a huge blow to the Merseysiders ahead of the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final with Man City at Anfield on Wednesday night.

A statement on Liverpoolfc.com said:

Joel Matip is likely to require an operation on a thigh injury, Liverpool can confirm.

The operation is likely to end the 26-year-old’s involvement in the remainder of the 2017-18 season.

Jurgen Klopp is expected to provide a further update on Matip’s condition at his press conference this afternoon but it sounds like the 26-year-old won’t play again this season.

Dejan Lovren is now in-line to start alongside Virgil van Dijk for the remainder of the campaign after recovering from a minor ankle injury that saw him miss Croatia’s recent friendlies.

Liverpool are also sweating over the fitness of Emre Can as the midfielder is a major doubt for the City game due to a back injury while Adam Lallana is also set to miss out tomorrow after picking up a hamstring strain against Palace at the weekend.