Liverpool injury update on Matip, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Elliott as key man suffers ‘proper knock’ in Arsenal win

Jurgen Klopp has been speaking to the media ahead of Liverpool’s trip to Crystal Palace on Sunday (14.00).

The Reds marched into the Carabao Cup final after defeating Arsenal 2-0 in the semi-final second leg last night.

Here are the main talking points from the Liverpool manager’s latest press conference.

Matip substitution explained

Joel Matip was taken off at half-time in the defeat of Arsenal.

The centre-back had a difficult first period and was replaced by Ibrahima Konate.

Klopp explained that he felt Matip was not fully right and made the substitution because he was able to do so with five changes permitted.

He said: “Joel was not tactical. We thought something was not 100% right.

“You can change five times and we had Ibou and Gomez on the bench so we made the change. Nothing else.”

Oxlade-Chamberlain update

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was absent against his former club Arsenal.

That’s because he rolled his ankle in the 3-0 win over Brentford. The midfielder was substituted only minutes after netting Liverpool’s second goal.

However, Klopp is hopeful that Oxlade-Chamberlain can be involved at Selhurst Park.

He said: “Ox, we hope and pray. He was running yesterday but we don’t know what else it exactly means.

“It would be helpful if he could train today.

Injury update

Liverpool will continue to be without Thiago (hip) and Divock Origi, who are both injured.

Fabinho suffered a knock in the Arsenal win when he was on the end of a Thomas Partey tackle that earned the Gunners midfielder a second yellow card.

Klopp’s hopeful the Brazilian will be available.

Meanwhile, Harvey Elliott is expected to return to playing action after the international break now he’s back in full training.

“We got knocks, proper knocks,” said Klopp. “The second yellow for Partey on Fabinho was a proper knock.

“I didn’t hear anything, which is most of the time positive but sometimes I get surprised after a press conference.

“Harvey is an outstanding boy. I have a really nice office with really good view of the pitches and got excited by watching Harvey’s rehab sessions.

“We will build up and not rush it but he looks like he could play.

“I’m pretty sure after the international break he can play.”

Palace challenge

Liverpool romped to a 7-0 victory at Crystal Palace last season.

However, Klopp called that result a ‘freak of nature’ and has been impressed by the job Patrick Viera has been carrying out since arriving as manager last summer.

The German said: “That was a one-off. A freak of nature, that day was incredible. We hit everything.

“We don’t expect that game, they have changed and improved under Patrick.

“They look a real stable team now, the system didn’t change too much but they’re a good team.

“I’ve always liked the front line of Crystal Palace and good defence as well. They’re a really good Premier League team with a few unlucky results.

“We expect a really tough game.”