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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Ian Doyle

Joel Matip injury problems continue with Liverpool unsure of defender's return

Joel Matip will undergo another scan this week with Liverpool still in the dark over when the defender can return to action.

But Mohamed Salah is expected to start the Champions League group match against Napoli at Anfield on Wednesday.

Matip has been absent for more than five weeks with an ongoing knee problem that has left him unable to train.

The Cameroon defender has been forced to wear a knee brace although no surgery has yet been required.

And Liverpool will discover more when the centre-back's injury is further assessed in the coming days.

“This week we have kind of a reassessment scan where you have a look at how it improved, but there’s nothing you can really do a lot,” said Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp.

“You have to wait until the body is doing the job pretty much.

“And we will see that, then we’ll know more. He looks fine but is not able to play and not able to train at the moment.”

Salah, meanwhile, was an unused substitute in Saturday's Premier League win at Crystal Palace as he continues to manage an ongoing ankle complaint.

Klopp revealed after the game the Egyptian would be available for Wednesday's visit of Napoli, where victory would put Liverpool into the knockout stages with a game to spare.

And, speaking on Tuesday, the Reds boss said: “Mo looks really good. He looked really good in training the day before yesterday especially, after the game. It was really good.

“Yesterday we didn’t do too much, so we will see today – but I’m not worried about it.”

Naby Keita suffered an illness after the weekend win at Palace but will be available for selection.

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