Joël Matip has not travelled with the Liverpool squad for the FA Cup replay at Plymouth on Wednesday.
Jürgen Klopp was due consult Liverpool’s lawyers over whether to select Matip amid concern the defender’s inclusion could result in the club’s expulsion from the competition.
Matip was not selected in Cameroon’s squad for the Africa Cup of Nations and, as far as Liverpool are concerned, retired from international football in 2015. The club have not received confirmation the defender can play for Liverpool during the tournament without threat of sanction, prompting his withdrawal from the squad who drew 1-1 at Manchester United last Sunday.
Fifa will decide on Friday whether Matip has a case to answer and, if so, Klopp admitted it could be “another seven or 10 days before we get a decision”.
Klopp will once again turn to the younger members of his squad for the third-round replay, with only Daniel Sturridge, Philippe Coutinho, Divock Origi, Lucas, Albert Moreno and Ragnar Klavan among the first-team regulars making the trip.
