Welcome to Anfield, the defender set to arrive for free tomorrow to replace Matip

Liverpool have improved a lot this season compared to last, but it is not all good news as Matip, one of the team's mainstays, will be out for several months. When the doctor comes to you and says 'it doesn't look good'.... You just have to wait for the tests. You can imagine it doesn't look good. It's never good news when the doctor tells you that. I've never, in all my years of playing, had someone say 'Oh, I was completely wrong, it's OK and he can play tomorrow'. It's not going to happen,'' Klopp told a news conference.

The German manager will have to put his faith back in Konaté, who had lost his starting place to the Cameroon defender. The Salah-led side are having a great start to the season, with the big advantage of playing in the Europa League rather than the Champions League keeping players fresh.

However, one of the big fears is that the small squad size could take its toll if injuries occur. Matip's injury joins Becker and Jota. The role in the transfer market, which could be the difference between winning or not winning the Premiership, will be crucial if they hit or miss.

<strong>The replacement</strong>

Given the urgent need to replace the Cameroonian, Jürgen Klopp could ask for the immediate return of Nathan Phillips, who went on loan to Celtic in Scotland and who is due to return in January, but due to Matip's surprise injury, he could be back at Liverpool tomorrow to join the first team in a transaction that would not cost the Reds any money.