MATIP
Liverpool are
giving serious consideration to playing Joel Matip at Plymouth and risking a
potential fall-out from a FIFA investigation.
Jurgen Klopp took
the decision not to select Matip for Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Manchester United
after Liverpool had not received any clarity from FIFA whether he was eligible.
Matip retired from international football in September 2015
but that did not stop Cameroon selecting him for this month’s Africa Cup of
Nations.
It means the 25-year-old cannot play for his club while
Cameroon are still in the tournament.
Yet Klopp does not want to be without Matip, who has become
a key figure in Liverpool’s defence, for the entirety of the tournament and has
been in discussions with the club’s hierarchy about what to do ahead of the FA
Cup third-round replay at Home Park.
Anfield officials have been in contact with FIFA but the
governing body have effectively said the dispute is between Liverpool and
Cameroon and it is for them to sort out.
It means Klopp must now decide whether to use Matip at Home
Park and risk the consequences or play it safe and wait to see if further talks
lead to a breakthrough and clarity on the situation.
The final of the African Nations Cup is not until February 5
so should Cameroon make it all the way in the competition Matip would, in
theory, not be available until February 10 - the day before Tottenham’s trip to
Anfield.
That would mean he would miss potentially six more matches –
if Liverpool negotiate their trip Plymouth to set up a fourth round FA Cup date
against Wolves – including the pivotal visit of Chelsea on January 31.
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