Liverpool team news vs Brighton: Joel Matip close to returning as defensive injury crisis eases

Matip has a chance of being fit for the trip to Brighton after returning to training this week

Liverpool centre-back Joel Matip has a chance of being fit for the trip to Brighton after returning to training this week.

The German has missed the last six matches with a broken collarbone but his comeback is timely with Dejan Lovren ruled out for at least a fortnight with a hamstring problem.

Adam Lallana (muscle) and Joe Gomez (foot) are both still sidelined but Jordan Henderson is back in training after a calf problem kept him out of the FA Cup defeat at Wolves.

Liverpool provisional squad

To face Brighton & Hove Albion (a)

Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, Matip, Robertson, Fabinho, Wijnaldum, Shaqiri, Firmino, Mane, Salah, Mignolet, Camacho, Moreno, Milner, Henderson, Keita, Sturridge, Origi.

Liverpool's central defensive injury problems should be cleared up soon, manager Jurgen Klopp said as the Premier League leaders prepare for Saturday's test at Brighton & Hove Albion.

Croatian centre back Lovren picked up a muscle injury early in Monday's FA Cup third round defeat at Wolverhampton Wanderers to add to the absence of two other central defenders Matip and Gomez.

Klopp said Matip was back in training and suggested that Lovren could be back after the Jan. 19 game against Crystal Palace.

"They are not out for long. It's not cool in this moment but in two weeks it will probably be okay," he said.

"We are fine. A season is always like this. Who deals the best with their problems has the most success."

"Joel trained yesterday for the first time with the team which is really good but we have to see and decide day-by-day," he added.