Liverpool's defense is an area of concern following Wednesday's news that Joel Matip will require surgery on his fractured collarbone.

The 27-year-old faces a spell of up to six weeks on the sidelines, joining fellow backline colleague Joe Gomez in the treatment room. Right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold is also nursing a "knock on his foot," as described by manager Jurgen Klopp, while Dejan Lovren managed just a brief cameo in Tuesday's 1-0 win over Napoli after sitting out three matches.

Matip suffered the injury in the Champions League fixture at Anfield, landing awkwardly following an aerial challenge. The German-born Cameroonian international was starting his third consecutive match for the Reds after regularly being fourth-choice in the middle of defense behind Virgil van Dijk, Gomez, and Lovren this season.

Gomez and Matip are both unavailable for a similar duration, meaning they will likely be out for the majority of the congested holiday period which includes meetings with Manchester United, Arsenal, and Manchester City.

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