Joel Matip glad to be back in action for Liverpool

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 22 July 2018

Joel Matip hopes to return to peak fitness before the start of the new season after sitting out the final two months of 2017-18 through injury.

Liverpool centre-back Joel Matip has admitted that he is glad to be back on the field after sitting out the tail end of last season with a thigh injury.

The ex-Schalke 04 man was forced to watch on from the stands as the Reds claimed a top-four spot in the Premier League and finished runners-up in the Champions League.

Matip's campaign ended at the end of March, but after getting some minutes under his belt in the first half of pre-season he is hoping to hit the ground running if called upon next season.

"I'm in a good way. I still need some time but I feel good and I enjoy being back on the pitch," he told the club's official website. "I will go step by step and I think these next days will help me to increase my fitness level and to get in better shape.

"Over the day you feel it but when you are on the pitch, you enjoy to play with the ball. We enjoy training. The intensity increases but that's normal. This is preparation but we are on a good way, we're still positive, and we're working hard to get in the best shape."

Matip has been used in three of Liverpool's four summer friendlies and is expected to feature against Borussia Dortmund on Sunday evening.