Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp must stick to his recent revelation despite latest injury blow

Liverpool have just four Premier League fixtures to go before we bid farewell to another year and embrace the exciting and nervous unknown of 2024. After stewing over their disappointing finish last season, the Reds have dusted themselves off and attacked the first half of the 2023/24 campaign. Their latest win over Sheffield United — teamed up with Manchester City's surprise loss to Aston Villa — puts them four points ahead of the reigning champions.

Jurgen Klopp's side are currently second, just two points behind league leaders Arsenal, who have also made it their mission to finish at the top of tree this season. Liverpool have lost just one match so far, and if they can keep up this form throughout December, they will be in with a huge chance of going all the way.

Of course, winning another Premier League title would be a dream comeback from last season and Liverpool's performances on the pitch are their top priority. However, it's getting increasingly harder to ignore the injury problems chipping away at Klopp's starting eleven.

Losing Andy Robertson was a huge blow back in October. The Scot was ruled out with a lengthy shoulder injury, but back-up Kostas Tsimikas has been filling in well. However, more key players are starting to drop and it couldn't be happening at a worse time either.

Alisson has been absent from the team for the last two matches after picking up a hamstring injury. Caoimhin Kelleher is a strong replacement but teams have first choice goalkeepers for a reason, and losing them through injury is always a concern. To add to the worries at the back, Joël Matip was forced off the pitch against Fulham with a knee injury and it has since been confirmed he has ruptured his ACL. The ultimate sucker-punch to an already depleted side.

New defenders have been on Liverpool's transfer radar for some months now. They were unable to bring any new options in during the summer, as the midfield restructure was top priority. There have since been links to potential January targets but a recent report from Football Insider has suggested the Reds will not be exploring these connections once the winter window opens.

Despite Matip's injury, Liverpool are reportedly not planning to rush into the January market in search for a new centre-back. The Reds believe there is 'no massive need' to bring in reinforcements, providing the four centre-backs still available for selection — Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konaté, Joe Gomez and Jarell Quansah — remain fit. If one of the four also pick up an injury, Liverpool's hand will be forced.

There's an awful lot of pressure on captain van Dijk and his fellow central men to stay at full fitness, but if they can see out the season with no further injuries, the summer will more than likely see at least one new defender come through the doors.

There is also the matter of Matip's current contract situation. The 32-year-old's deal is set to expire in just six months' time and as things stand, he has played his final game in red due to his ACL injury. There has been a number of reports recently regarding talks being held over an extension, and Matip has apparently put forward his desire to remain at Anfield, but nothing concrete has been tabled so far.

However, an interesting new update has emerged on the matter, which could be a big move for both the club and player. Football Insider has claimed that Klopp 'wants Matip to sign a new contract' despite his current injury status and his advancing years. The boss is a 'huge admirer' of the former Cameroon international and would like to see him continue his career at Anfield.

Matip is also a popular figure amongst fans and is in the books as one of the club's most successful free signings. Indeed, the centre-back signed for Liverpool in 2016 after his contract with Schalke expired. Since then, he has made 201 appearances in a red shirt and has played the role of both a starter and a rotation player over the years.

For Matip's era at Liverpool to end in such an abrupt and cruel way would be unjust. When fit, he still has a lot to offer the Reds and his seniority will be an important asset to Klopp's squad. Even a one-year extension would allow Matip to recover from his injury and get back on the pitch.

James Milner and Roberto Firmino both saw out their respective contracts this summer and earned an emotional Anfield farewell. Matip, after his services to the club for seven years, should receive the same when his time comes. But an exit while recovering from an ACL injury is not how it's supposed to go. Klopp must surely stick to his wishes of keeping Matip on, so he can make a full recovery, return to the pitch and receive the send-off he deserves when he decides to leave on his terms.