Liverpool sweating on the fitness of Matip ahead of Atalanta clash

Liverpool will be hoping to continue with their good run in the Champions League when they face Serie A side Atalanta tonight.

It's expected to be an away trip for Jurgen Klopp side who have won their last two games against Ajax and Midtjylland and so far. 

Although, the Reds seems to be short in the defense department after they lost Virgil van Dijk to a long time injury. Fabinho who has been playing the role was also injured days ago and youngster Neco Williams was called upon to fill that position.

Already, Virgil van Dijk is expected to be out for up to nine to ten months due to the injury sustained in the Meyerside derby last month. 

Although, there is a bit of good news to Liverpool, as Joel Matip is in line to be fit for the game against Atalanta. The center back has a calf problem but Klopp is optimistic he can over come the injury. 

Meanwhile, Thiago Alcantara is yet to return to full training. The play maker who joined from Bayern Munich had been struggling with fitness after he recently recovered from Covid-19.

It's been confirmed by the manager that Matip and Naby Keita travelled with the team to Italy. 

Klopp told the Reds’ official website: “Naby and Joel trained yesterday [Sunday] with the team, full, Thiago didn’t. So, that’s the situation.

“I have really no idea what I do with this information in the moment because yes, they trained, that’s good, it’s better than if they don’t train, but we have to see what we do with it.

“We have another day to make these decisions. A lot of players will be on the plane hopefully, and so decisions will be made late, late, late.”

Klopp also noted that there is no fresh injury reports as all players are in good condition for the game. Goalkeeper, Alisson Becker is expected to start in goal. 

While Jordan Henderson will lead the team out of the dug out. 

He said: “A lot, [but] I’m not sure about a new one. We have to see.

“Yesterday was recovery for some and normal training for the others, so now we have to see how the boys feel today. It’s pretty early now and I have not all the information, but I hope nothing serious.”