Liverpool’s Joel Matip runs out of time to prove his ability to face Man Utd

Joel Matip is running out of time to prove his fitness ahead of Sunday’s clash with Manchester United.

It is understood that the Liverpool center-half has progressed to train in specially prepared sessions with the physiotherapists, as he returns from a groin injury sustained against West Brom on December 27.

With Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez in the long run, Matip is key to Jurgen Klopp’s plans, especially with the game against United presented as a title showdown.

Matip is back running and working with a ball on the grass, but has yet to train with the first team, and Klopp would need to see him training for two sessions with his teammates , and succeed without reaction, to be ready.

This leaves him little time to prove his fitness, and with the games coming soon after United’s game at Anfield – with an intense period where they will play effectively every three days – then the Reds boss may decide not to. risking his key central defender. .

That leaves him with a tough choice as to who to bring Fabinho to halfway, with the Brazilian himself replacing from his usual position in the middle of midfield.

Skipper Jordan Henderson played the role at Southampton, but Klopp is in desperate need of his energy and leadership in the middle of the park against fierce rivals Liverpool.

And if he chooses to bring Henderson back to midfield, 19-year-old Rhys Williams or slightly more experienced Nat Phillips could play at the back.

The German boss is still desperately hoping that Matip can train this week in a full squad session and save him the headache of yet another central defensive headache.