If there was one negative for Liverpool fans on Wednesday, it would’ve been the sight of Joel Matip going off at half time.
When somebody of Matip’s injury history plays the first half but doesn’t come back out from the break, it’s always a big concern.
Ibrahima Konate played ahead of him on Sunday at Manchester United but let’s not forget, the Cameroon international has arguably been Liverpool’s best defender this season in terms of all-round consistency.
But Reds boss Jurgen Klopp had some really good news on this front.
Speaking to Liverpool’s website after the 2-0 League Cup win at Preston North End, Klopp confirmed that the substitution was not a forced one, insisting that he only played in the first place to keep himself sharp after missing out at Old Trafford.
The German said: “Joel is not injured. It was just clear we wanted him to play 45 minutes [so] that he can keep the rhythm – Joel needs these kind of things.”
Good news?
Absolutely.
Matip has been riddled with all sorts of injuries and niggles these past few years.
Last season, he missed 152 days of action for Liverpool with an ankle issue.
It’s certainly true that because of someone like Konate, a long-term absence to Matip is much more manageable these days, particularly with Joe Gomez and Virgil van Dijk fit as well.
But the former Schalke powerhouse is undeniably one of Liverpool’s most important players, someone who started the Champions League final two years ago.
When fit, he’s massive and thankfully for Klopp and fans of the Anfield club, his disappearance on Wednesday was not due to injury.
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