Joel Matip is set to sit out the rest of Liverpool’s 2019-20 campaign with a foot injury.
The 28-year-old defender picked up an untimely problem in a 0-0 Merseyside derby draw with Everton on June 21.
He lasted 73 minutes in that contest before being forced from the field, with Dejan Lovren introduced in his place.
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Fit-again Joe Gomez has since stepped back into a centre-half berth alongside Virgil van Dijk.
That partnership may have to be favoured by Jurgen Klopp through to the end of the season – although he now has the option to tinker with his plans on the back of the Reds wrapping up a Premier League title triumph.