Joel Matip underwent a scan relating to a muscle concern on Saturday following Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Everton, handing Jurgen Klopp a selection dilemma ahead of a busy week.
Jurgen Klopp’s side received a hammer blow to their title defence prospects on the weekend, with Virgil van Dijk ruled out for an extended period of time after picking up a knee injury following a heavy challenge from Jordan Pickford.
The defensive colossus will prove a big miss for the Reds, with Klopp turning to Matip and Joe Gomez to fill the void left by the influential centre half.
And Sportsmail understands that the Cameroonian defender underwent a scan after the game regarding a muscle issue, although the concern was cleared by doctors in a huge relief to the Reds.
Liverpool boss Klopp must decide, however, whether to utilise the 29-year-old, who has only recently returned from an injury setback, amid a busy week for the Premier League champions.
The Reds travel to Amsterdam on Wednesday night for their Champions League group clash with Ajax, before hosting Sheffield United at Anfield this weekend.
A spell on the sidelines for Matip would leave Klopp with a defensive conundrum, with Gomez the only other specialist defender left to choose from.
Defensive midfielder Fabinho has filled in admirably at centre half, with a standout performance away to Chelsea, while captain Jordan Henderson has also played there.
Klopp has also played youngster Rhys Williams in a defensive pairing in the early stages of the Carabao Cup this season.
Liverpool star Van Dijk, meanwhile, has vowed to come back stronger following his major setback. Well wishes flooded in for the Dutchman on social media and Van Dijk says he is ‘ready for the challenge ahead’.
‘I’m now fully focused on my recovery and will do everything I can to be back as soon as possible,’ the Dutchman shared on social media.
‘Despite the obvious disappointment, I’m a firm believer that within difficulty lies opportunity, and with God’s help I’m going to make sure I return better, fitter and stronger than ever before.
‘In football, as in life, I think everything happens for a reason and it’s important to try and keep level-headed whether going through the highs and lows.’
