Joel Matip is the latest player to be ruled out of Liverpool’s upcoming matches against Arsenal, after suffering an ACL injury.

Liverpool's German manager Jurgen Klopp (L) embraces Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta after the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Arsenal at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on April 9, 2023. - The match ended 2-2. (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Liverpool’s German manager Jurgen Klopp (L) embraces Arsenal’s Spanish manager Mikel Arteta after the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Arsenal at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on April 9, 2023. (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Jurgen Klopp confirmed this week that Joel Matip has ruptured his ACL, with the defender now set to be out until the end of the season. The player’s contract expires in the summer, further complicating his situation.

Arsenal have two games against Liverpool coming up, preparing to face Klopp’s side at Anfield on December 23rd in the Premier League, then at the Emirates Stadium on January 7th in the FA Cup.

But Matip is now also set to miss the Premier League clash between the two sides at the Emirates on February 3rd, given the nature of his injury.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND: A dejected Alisson Becker of Liverpool is consoled by Manager Juergen Klopp after he sustains an injury during the draw in the Premier League match between Manchester City and Liverpool FC at Etihad Stadium on November 25, 2023. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND: A dejected Alisson Becker of Liverpool is consoled by Manager Juergen Klopp after he sustains an injury during the draw in the Premier League match between Manchester City and Liverpool FC at Etihad Stadium on November 25, 2023. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Klopp recently hinted that his star goalkeeper Alisson would return to fitness in time to face Arsenal, and that was proved to be the case as he played in Liverpool’s match away to Crystal Palace on Saturday.

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But it seems as though Diogo Jota will miss the first of the three matches, as he’s still targeting a return after Christmas.

Elsewhere, Thiago Alcantara and Andy Robertson are both aiming to return in the new year. Robertson may be available for the FA Cup clash, if all goes well for him.

Finally, Alexis Mac Allister is currently out injured, but like Alisson, he should be back in time for all three matches against Arsenal.

TOPSHOT - Liverpool's Egyptian striker #11 Mohamed Salah celebrates after scoring their third goal during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on October 29, 2023. (Photo by IAN HODGSON/AFP via Getty Images)
TOPSHOT – Liverpool’s Egyptian striker #11 Mohamed Salah celebrates after scoring their third goal during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on October 29, 2023. (Photo by IAN HODGSON/AFP via Getty Images)

The only other question mark around Liverpool availability for the Arsenal matches is the impact of AFCON on Mohamed Salah.

Salah will go away with Egypt for AFCON in January, linking up with Arsenal’s Mohamed Elneny at the competition.

If the two of them leave a week early to prepare for the tournament, they’d both miss the FA Cup clash, but that seems unlikely.

What’s far more probable is that they might both miss the Premier League clash at the Emirates Stadium in February.

With the game taking place on February 3rd, Egypt would only need to reach the quarter-finals (which take place on February 2nd-3rd) to rule both players out of the Arsenal match.

Given Egypt’s ranking in the top-five teams at the tournament, that seems likely.

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