- Liverpool could be without Joel Matip against Southampton
- Lovren likely to step in to partner Klavan in Reds backline
- Klopp will have various other injury boosts but this setback will be a concern
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Liverpool host Southampton at Anfield on Saturday, and Jurgen Klopp reportedly will have to reshuffle his backline for the Saints.
With three consecutive wins in all competitions prior to the international break, the Reds are back in good form and will hope that the break hasn’t disrupted their momentum.
However, perhaps more importantly, Klopp would have hoped to welcome back his squad with no new injury concerns, and that seemed to be the case earlier this week.
As reported by The Liverpool Echo, that good luck hasn’t lasted, as Joel Matip is set to miss out due to a thigh complaint and that could lead to some concerned Liverpool fans with regards to the defensive duo that could line up in the heart of their defence this weekend.
Matip’s absence likely means a place in the starting line-up for Dejan Lovren after his horror show against Tottenham last month resulted in him being hauled off before half-time, while Ragnar Klavan will partner him which doesn’t stand out as the most formidable defensive partnership.
It will be a major disappointment for Klopp, considering that he’s set for a number of injury boosts with the likes of Philippe Coutinho, Sadio Mane and Adam Lallana all set to return against Southampton.
While that sorts out his attacking options and makes Liverpool a scary assignment defensively for their opponents, the visitors will surely come to Anfield knowing that if they can get at their defence, they will have a chance of coming away with something to show for their efforts with Liverpool conceding 17 goals in just 11 league games already this season with Matip an ever-present.