Although Joel Matip’s significant injury may force Jurgen Klopp to make a move in the January transfer window, his team is closing in on Arsenal at the top of the standings.

Joel Matip was dealt the same ACL injury Virgil van Dijk once had, and he has pledged to assist him get past this ordeal.

“Knowing what he will go through now over the next weeks and months, it’s tough,” Van Dijk said.

“But we are here for him. Whenever he needs us, we will be there for him. First and foremost, let’s hope the surgery will go well and the route to getting back starts.”

Klopp eyes replacement

Wolfsburg’s Maxence Lacroix has surfaced as a Liverpool target.

Matip’s injury leaves Jurgen Klopp without much backup at the back in case Liverpool suffers another injury crisis similar to the one that plagued them before.

When Van Dijk, Matip, and Joe Gomez were all injured for extended periods of time back in January 2021, Klopp was forced to insert Ben Davies and Ozan Kabak as emergency reinforcements.

While Jarell Quansah is available for selection, things aren’t quite at that point just yet. However, Klopp has already identified a potential new addition for Liverpool in January.

The defender Maxence Lacroix of Wolfsburg has become a target for Liverpool, who might sign him for about £25 million. However, the team hopes to haggle over that amount. Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi is also a player they are keeping an eye on.