Jurgen Klopp confirms it's unlikely Joel Matip will play for him again

Jurgen Klopp confirmed Joel Matip heartbreak on Wednesday as he gave a pre-match press conference ahead of Sheffield United vs Liverpool.

Jurgen Klopp shared an update on Joel Matip at the end of his pre-match press conference on Wednesday. Liverpool are preparing to continue their Premier League title charge against Sheffield United.

There was, of course, zero chance of Matip featuring in this one. The defender suffered an awful knee injury earlier this season, ruling him out long-term. That's particularly notable because Matip's contract expires in June.

That was made extra heartbreaking with the news that Klopp would step down at the end of the season. Matip faces a race against time to ever play for the German again - and it sounds like it's a race he's going to lose.

Jurgen Klopp on Joel Matip

"He's able to run again, so that's good," Klopp told the press conference. Since he got injured, this is the best moment because it was very painful in the beginning. Very painful for him.

"But he got through that and now he's pain-free. But that all takes time and I don't think the season is long enough for him."

Matip has been a magnificent member of Klopp's squad and in all honesty, one of the finest signings he's made. The Cameroonian arrived on a free transfer in 2016 and has gone on to be one of the best defenders we've seen at Liverpool in a long time.

So for him to be unable to play a part in Klopp's farewell is pretty tragic. Not to mention that it could be the end of his entire Liverpool career, depending on how negotiations go this year.

Matip will go down as an icon of this era no matter what happens, though. A fantastic defender and the Reds wouldn't have won all that they have under Klopp without him.