Liverpool’s Premier League Title Challenge Handed Major Boost

Liverpool’s Premier League title challenge has been handed a huge boost with the news that Joel Matip has turned down the chance to represent Cameroon at the African Cup of Nations next month, according to Sky Sports.

Matip has not featured for his country since being at the centre of a row back in 2015 which saw the defender criticise the set-up within the Cameroonian national team.

The Reds centre-back has held talks with boss Hugo Broos over the issue with the Cameroon coach desperate for Matip to resurrect his international career and play for his country at next months African Cup of Nations.

If the 25-year-old decided to return to the Cameroon squad, it would have meant he would miss practically the whole of January and depending on how far they went in the competition, Matip may not have returned to Liverpool until after February 5th.

However, it looks as though Jurgen Klopp has been handed a major boost as Sky Sports claim that Matip has turned down the opportunity to end his exile and won’t be heading to Gabon to compete in the AFCON next month.

The news will be a major boost to Liverpool’s title hopes as Matip has become a key part of Klopp’s starting eleven this season since arriving on a free transfer from Schalke last summer.

Liverpool have conceded just nine goals in the 11 games in which Matip has played and the defender is yet to be on the losing side with the Merseysiders only two defeats this season coming when he was out injured.

The most recent was against Bournemouth last weekend where Liverpool threw away a two-goal lead on two occasions to lose 4-3 at the Vitality Stadium so it was clear that Matip was sorely missed on the south coast.

However, the centre-back has now recovered from a minor ankle problem and is expected to return to the starting eleven for the visit of West Ham this weekend as Liverpool look to close the gap on leaders Chelsea.