MX23RW : Monday, September 30 11:17:38| >> :60:2117:2117:

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp confirms Joel Matip will snub Africa Cup of Nations

Klopp confirms Matip will snub AFCON
© SilverHub
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp confirms that Joel Matip will not compete in the Africa Cup of Nations with Cameroon.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that Joel Matip will not end his international exile for next month's Africa Cup of Nations.

Cameroon head coach Hugo Broos recently indicated that Matip could represent the nation in the tournament, which gets underway in Gabon on January 14.

The defender has not played for the country since 2015, and according to Klopp, the 25-year-old has no plans to return.

"We had this talk already a few weeks ago so I was not surprised," the manager told reporters in Friday's press conference. "I was happy about this, but players have to make their these decisions for themselves.

"For Joel it is different because he has grown up in Germany. He decided himself and it is good for us."

The news means that Matip will be available for the hectic winter period in the Premier League, where the Reds currently sit third in the table.

ID:286989: cacheID:286989:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2103:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge in action during his side's EFL Cup clash with Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on October 25, 2016
Read Next:
Rush warns Liverpool against Sturridge sale
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
FT
Bills
10-35
Ravens
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool65011221015
2Manchester CityMan City6420146814
3Arsenal6420125714
4Chelsea6411157813
5Aston Villa6411129313
6Fulham632185311
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle632187111
8Tottenham HotspurSpurs6312125710
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton623110829
10Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest62316519
11Brentford6213810-27
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd621358-37
13Bournemouth512258-35
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham6123610-45
15Ipswich TownIpswich6042510-54
16Everton6114715-84
17Leicester CityLeicester6033812-43
18Crystal Palace603359-43
19Southampton501429-71
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves6015616-101


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!