Liverpool have been handed a massive Joel Matip bonus.
The German-born former Cameroon international played his first game since the draw against Everton in the bad tempered Merseyside derby.
He’s already missed eight matches this season but Joel Matip was back in the starting side as he completed 90 minutes in the 1-1 draw against Manchester City.
The injury to Virgil van Dijk has meant that keeping the former Schalke man fit is more important than ever. Unfortunately for Jurgen Klopp, keeping the 29-year-old out there and playing football is far easier said than done.
Matip’s body can’t really be trusted to weather the storm of two games a week as Liverpool are operating and trying to win the Premier League and the Champions League.
Which is why this next bit of news is so good. In all truthfulness, it’s a huge bonus.
Because Matip is going to get two weeks working with Klopp, training at Kirkby and keeping those fitness levels high in preparation for a return to the Premier League.
The defender has retired from international football so he won’t be jetting off to some random corner of the world, exposing himself to COVID in the process, and risking his limbs to take part in a meaningless international friendly.
That’s really important because Liverpool needs him fit and ready to take part in a run of consecutive games. He can do it, he’s done it before. Matip just needs a little bit of luck and a little bit of care.
Between 21st Jan 2017 and 4 November 2017, the centre-back played every single Premier League game and failed to complete the 90 minutes just twice. That’s 27 games in a row.
If he can give us that now, it’ll go some way to ensuring Liverpool retain their Premier League title. Matip getting some rest and some extra time working with physios and coaches while the rest of the league jets off on international duty is the massive boost we needed.