Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp could be set for a huge blow with Joel Matip reportedly considering a shock U-turn on his international retirement.
The 30-year-old has been a key part of the Reds’ backline this season, returning from a serious injury along with Virgil van Dijk to form an impenetrable partnership.
Matip has kept £35million signing Ibrahima Konate out of the side for the majority of the Merseyside club's domestic fixtures, starting 12 of their 15 Premier League matches this season.
And Klopp would be loathe to lose one of his trusted lieutenants heading into the busiest part of the season, with Liverpool facing a packed schedule.
But according to an African Football source, Matip is considering coming out of retirement to make himself available for selection with Cameroon.
The centre-back, who has won 27 caps for his country, has not played an African nation since stepping away from the international scene in 2015.
But the recent election of former Chelsea and Everton striker Samuel Eto’o as the president of Cameroon’s Football Federation has reportedly turned his head.
"Liverpool defender Joel Matip is "considering" a return to the Cameroon National Team,” African Insider reported via Twitter.
"Samuel Eto'o's election as FECAFOOT President was unexpected, and has turned the heads of many players-in-exile.
“This could well see a return in interest for many dual-nationals.”
It would be a surprising turn of events for Matip to return to the national team fold considering the certainty he spoke with when announcing his retirement in 2017.
“It’s done now and I’m looking to the future,” he previously said.
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“I only wanted to stay here and play. It was not easy because I didn’t understand what was going on. Now the problem is solved and I can concentrate on Liverpool.”
When he asked if he would ever represent his country again, Matip replied: “No. I tried to play there and represent my country, do my best and achieve something.
“But all the surrounding things were not the best to do this. It is Africa and you can never compare it to European things.
“I’ll concentrate on Liverpool. It’s done.”
However, Eto’o has made his ambitions clear in his four-year term as president and is hoping to convince dual-national players, as well as retired internationals, to turn out for the national side.
It would represent a selection headache for Klopp, who is already facing losing Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Naby Keita for the tournament, which begins on January 9.
The German coach is confident he will be able to count on the trio for the remaining matches in December, but still faces up to six matches without them at his disposal.
It is not yet known whether Matip will be included in Cameroon's squad for the Africa Cup of Nations, for which they are the host nation.
But it may have a knock-on effect for players such as Nat Phillips and Joe Gomez, both of whom have been linked with moves away from Anfield in the January transfer window.
Phillips is thought to be a £15m target for West Ham while Gomez is reportedly wanted by Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard.
But if Matip is required for international duty, Klopp may be reluctant to allow the pair to depart.
