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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Sam Meade

Joel Matip admits Liverpool taking extra precaution to avoid further defensive injuries

Liverpool's Joel Matip admits they are "working on different things" as they try and prevent their lengthy injury list from growing.

The Reds have been savaged by the absence of several key individuals this term, most notably in their backline.

Virgil van Dijk could be out for the season and Joe Gomez looks may also be set for the same fate.

Fabinho and Trent Alexander-Arnold have also spent time on the treatment table.

But the Reds' medical department are looking at ways they can change their approach in order to keep first team stars on the pitch.

“The fitness or medical department always try to tell you to improve things,” Matip told the club's website.

“We are working on different things. Sometimes you don’t have that much influence on it, but we are working hard to keep every player as fit as possible.

"This includes me and I hope, and I’m looking forward, to be playing as much as possible and to stay fit.”

Liverpool have been forced to play the likes of Rhys Williams and Nathaniel Phillips in the centre of defence such has been their lack of options.

But they have continued to produce results despite the makeshift nature of some of their line-ups.

Klopp has spoken candidly about the reasons behind Liverpool's injury list and has cited the demands of players as a problem that needs addressing.

Virgil van Dijk is one of several players out injured (Getty Images)

"This now is not a normal season," he previously told the Daily Mail.

"This now is a season which is four weeks shorter but with the same amount of games. This is a very special time, not only for football but for the whole world.

"All of us have to dig in and fight hard to get through it. In football, it’s like this.

"It looks like the whole world changed but the two things which stayed were the fixture list of the Premier League and three subs."

Will Liverpool's injuries prevent them from winning the Premier League? Have your say here .

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