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Quick Liverpool Injury Update on Lucas and Matip ahead of Palace Clash

By Paul Drake

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - APRIL 21: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Jurgen Klopp manager of Liverpool talks with Lucas Leiva during a training session at Melwood Training Ground on April 21, 2017 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - APRIL 21: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Jurgen Klopp manager of Liverpool talks with Lucas Leiva during a training session at Melwood Training Ground on April 21, 2017 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images) /
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Jurgen Klopp unleashed his injury update on Thursday. A few names surprised Liverpool fans, Lucas and Matip. They are now headed in the right direction to possibly start on Sunday, against Crystal Palace.

On Thursday, Klopp said that Lucas and Matip were struggling with “muscle problems,” caused by the match against West Brom. Since then, both have not trained with the main squad.

In addition, Ragnar Klavan is struggling with a ligament issue in his knee, and has returned to training outside. Last week Klavan was unavailable against West Brom.

Lucas Crucial to Reds Success

James Pearce reports that in preparation for Sunday’s match Matip and Lucas trained separately from the main squad. The Reds rehab staff took special care of them, resulting in some significant progress, which helps their chances of starting Sunday.

This is good news for Klopp, the Echo says, “If they prove their fitness then Matip will start alongside Dejan Lovren at the back with Lucas likely to operate in the holding midfield role.”

Good news indeed! Since the absence of Jordan Henderson and Adam Lallana, Klopp has been forced to be creative with his starting eleven. Resulting in 5-2-1 record without Henderson, and 3-1-0 without Lallana.

Lucas has turned into a semi-regular in the Reds lineup, since February. He proved fantastic in the match against Tottenham Hotspur where he played for 81 minutes and helped lock down the Spurs attack. During that match the Reds midfielder successfully won 67% of his aerial duels. He also, made 5 interceptions and 7 clearances.

Since the Spurs match, Lucas has posted a promising performance every match, except Leicester City. I hope we all can forget the Leicester City match. Lucas is not going to score goals and that is not his job. He is there to be the holding midfielder, and he does a great job at that.

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Joel Matip A Defensive Wizard

Then there is Joel Matip. The Reds defender has by far the best performance ratings this season, according to Squawka. Most recently, in the match against West Brom, Matip featured lock-down defense.

Playing all 90 minutes against the Baggies, Matip was spot on in his performance. His stat-line reveals just how good he was:  89% passing accuracy, won 75% of tackles and 67% aerial duels, making 3 interceptions, 5 clearances, and 2 take-ons.

This is not the first time that Matip has shown his defensive prowess in 2017. Fans should also remember the match against Burnley. The Reds defender won 100% of his tackles and 80% of his aerial duels. Also, he made 13 clearances and 3 interceptions.

In both of these matches, Matip proved to be important to a Liverpool win. So, with the possibility of both Lucas and Matip starting on Sunday against the resurgent Crystal Palace, it should give fans hope.

Next: Match Preview: Liverpool vs Crystal Palace

All statistical information provided by Squawka.com

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