Fabinho absence adds to Jurgen Klopp's selection woes this season; Matip went off at half-time with an injury leaving the Reds boss with no fit senior centre-backs; Liverpool won 3-1 at Tottenham to close the gap on Premier League leaders Manchester City
Thursday 28 January 2021 23:15, UK
Fabinho missed Liverpool's 3-1 victory at Tottenham on Thursday night after suffering a "minor muscle" problem, while Joel Matip was forced off at half-time during the game with an ankle injury.
The Brazilian was missing from Liverpool's training session earlier on Thursday prior to the game in north London.
Before the match, manager Jurgen Klopp revealed the 27-year-old "just felt something" and said the decision was made to take him out of the squad.
Matip, recalled to the starting line-up alongside Jordan Henderson to face Spurs, went off injured at half-time with an ankle ligament problem and was replaced by Nathaniel Phillips.
Liverpool moved up to fourth with the win away at Tottenham courtesy of goals from Roberto Firmino, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Sadio Mane. They have won twice in all competitions since the 7-0 demolition of Crystal Palace last month.
Fabinho has provided emergency cover at centre-back for Klopp this season, with 19-year-old Rhys Williams also enjoying a spell in the first team because of injuries to key defenders.
An announcement on Liverpool's Twitter account prior to the clash with Tottenham read: "Fabinho misses out with a minor muscle issue."
Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez are still recovering from their respective long-term injuries, while Matip missed four Premier League games after being forced off during the 1-1 draw against West Brom in December and now appears to be sidelined again.
Midfielder Naby Keita and forward Diogo Jota are also yet to return.
Liverpool are yet to sign any temporary defensive reinforcements during the January transfer window and Klopp has hinted at feeling frustrated with the club for not making any additions to his squad so far this month.
"Of course someone else is making the decisions [on transfers], it was always like this," Klopp said after his side's loss to Manchester United in the FA Cup.
"If people are surprised about that, I cannot change that. The situation we have is we discuss on a daily basis.
"Could we improve something or not? I then make recommendations, but I cannot spend the money. I don't make these decisions, I never did."
