Matip underwent successful surgery for a torn Anterior Cruciate Ligament injury sustained in the 4-3 victory over Fulham earlier this month. No timescale has been placed on a return date for the experienced centre-back, but there are fears Matip may have already played his final game for the club.
Asked about Matip’s situation after his injury, Klopp said: “I’m pretty sure the club will show their class, just how they should do. I’m pretty sure the club told Joel already that whatever happens so long as he is injured. Now we have to make decisions together with Joel, how it looks after that.”
Pressed on whether that means Matip will be handed a new deal, Klopp replied: “I would say so but it’s not my decision in the end. I cannot sign the paper.”
As for Thiago, he hasn’t played for the Reds since the end of April after having surgery on a hip issue. The Spaniard missed the final six Premier League matches of the 2022/23 campaign and remains out, with Klopp hopeful he could return to action in the New Year.
Speaking on November 3, Klopp said of Thiago: “It’s an ongoing thing and we cannot put any kind of pressure on there as well. We expect him to be back – and I would say probably the start of the New Year. It’s now already November, so that would mean another four weeks.
“I would say that’s probably a realistic thing to try and I can’t wait, to be honest, to have him back. The player he is is just exceptional. I understand you ask, but it’s nothing where we can have a week by week update because that will not change a lot in this moment.”
If Thiago is back for the start of January, it only increases his chances of securing a move and signing a pre-contract agreement, with his contract running down. Trabzonspor and Fenerbahce were interested in a move for Thiago in the summer, while clubs in Saudi Arabia were also keeping tabs.
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