Cameroonian defender Joel Matip could return to action for Premier League leaders Liverpool against bitter rivals Manchester United at Anfield on Sunday following a knee injury.

Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp confirmed the news during his pre-match press conference on Friday.

Klopp said that Matip, along with Brazilian midfielder Fabinho, had successfully come through training held over the past two days.

"They trained completely normally yesterday and the day before. So that means they are likely to be in the squad.”

Matip, an integral part of Liverpool's defence, initially suffered the injury against Sheffield United in September last year. He suffered a recurrence of the injury having being in line to return in December.

Klopp also confirmed that Guinean midfielder Naby Keita will not feature for the Reds this weekend but did not give any exact date for his return.

Keita, who has been plagued by injuries since his move from RB Leipzig in 2018, suffered a groin problem prior to the 2-0 win over Sheffield United at the start of the year.

"With the other two (Keita and James Milner), I don't know exactly. I cannot rush it so when somebody tells me they are ready, I take them back in training.”

United is the only team so far to take points off Liverpool in the league this season after holding the European champions to a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford in October last year.

Liverpool will be seeking a 13^th straight league win to extend its unbeaten run in the current season to 22 league games and 39 games overall.

Source(s): liverpoolfc.com