Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp expects Joel Matip to be sidelined for a lengthy period of time after limping off during Sunday\u2019s 4-3 win over Fulham.<\/strong><\/p>\n Matip started the game but was forced off with 20 minutes to go after getting hurt in a seemingly innocuous challenge. Klopp turned to Ibrahima Konate, whose\u00a0minutes have been managed\u00a0as a result of his own fitness problem.<\/p>\n While Klopp had no official diagnosis to offer after the game, he made it clear he does not expect to have Matip available anytime soon.<\/p>\n \u201cWe obviously have no pictures yet, no scan yet, but from what you hear and can see, that will not be a short one,\u201d Klopp said.<\/p>\n \u201cUnlucky, but we have to just get through this.\u201d<\/p>\n Matip was forced off \/ Clive Brunskill\/GettyImages<\/p>\n While Konate is not yet at full fitness,\u00a0Liverpool\u00a0do still have good numbers at centre-back. Club captain Virgil van Dijk remains a permanent fixture and Klopp will now have to choose between Konate, Joe Gomez and young Jarell Quansah.<\/p>\n The emergence of 20-year-old Quansah was\u00a0behind Liverpool\u2019s decision not to sign another centre-back\u00a0in the summer, with Klopp happy to put his faith in the academy graduate.<\/p>\n However, there are plans for Liverpool to sign a new centre-back in 2024, with\u00a0Sporting CP\u2019s Goncalo Inacio and Benfica\u2019s Antonio Silva\u00a0among the names on the Reds\u2019 shortlist.<\/p>\n Liverpool have also previously scouted Bournemouth\u2019s Lloyd Kelly, who is also\u00a0of interest to Tottenham Hotspur.<\/p>\n
\n![\"Joel](\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/01hgtt07n176pkjcxqhe.jpg\" "\\"Joel")
<\/figure>\n
\n