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Klopp: Matip's ankle injury from Liverpool friendly only 'minor'

Dave Thompson / Getty Images Sport / Getty

New Liverpool signing Joel Matip was unable to play all 90 minutes of Sunday's friendly against Wigan because of a "minor" ankle injury.

Manager Jurgen Klopp believes it's nothing too serious, only a recurrence of an older issue. Matip is expected to return to training Tuesday.

"I hope it's only a minor problem. He said he's had it one or two times already," Klopp told reporters. "It's the foot he had problems with in the past and then he had a little bit of pain when preseason started because of the intensity. He's used to it. Hopefully it's like this because everyone can see he's in a real good way.

"I think tomorrow he'll rest, then he can go again."

Matip arrived on a free transfer from Schalke this summer, and he's participated in three exhibitions matches for the Reds thus far. Klopp made the decision to test the 24-year-old with a full workload Sunday, but the centre-back had to leave the game before the full-time whistle. In turn, Liverpool finished the contest with just 10 men.

Liverpool's next friendly goes Wednesday against Huddersfield Town.

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