Liverpool defender Joel Matip is facing an extended spell on the sidelines as he struggles to fully recover from a knee injury.
The 28-year-old has been out of action since Liverpool's 1-1 draw against Manchester United in October, with the defender being replaced primarily by Dejan Lovren in the starting eleven.
Matip has missed nine games for Liverpool so far and it's unlikely he will return any time soon, if Klopp's comments in his pre-Everton press conference are anything to go by.
“Joel needs a bit more time,” Klopp told reporters.
“It's healing but not exactly how we wished for, so he needs a bit more time so that will take a while.”
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Matip has been in stellar form throughout 2019, having fought his way into the side following injuries to Lovren and Joe Gomez at the back-end of last year.
There was positive news on the rest of the squad, however, with Klopp confirming only Matip, Fabinho and Nathaniel Clyne are struggling with knocks.
“The long-term injuries are not in but all the others are fit and available,” he added.
Lovren is expected to continue alongside Virgil van Dijk at the heart of the Reds defence against Everton on Wednesday night.
The likes of Naby Keita and Xherdan Shaqiri should be included in the squad, although it's highly unlikely the duo will have a starting role against Marco Silva's side.
Without the injured Fabinho, Klopp is expected to include Jordan Henderson, Gini Wijnaldum and James Milner in his starting midfield, although there could be a place for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain should the boss want a more attacking lineup.
