Jürgen Klopp will take the highly unusual step of seeking legal advice before naming his Liverpool team to face Plymouth Argyle as he considers including Joël Matip in his line-up.
Fifa has told Liverpool that it will decide on Friday whether Matip, who retired from international duty in September 2015, can play while Cameroon are at the Africa Cup of Nations or if they will officially open a case into the wrangle, which would take up to ten days to resolve.
Matip was named in Cameroon’s preliminary squad and although he was not included in their final 23-man squad, he cannot play for Liverpool while the tournament takes place unless they have an agreement with Cameroon for him to do so.
Liverpool face Plymouth in an FA Cup third-round replay tonight, with Klopp torn over selecting Matip, who needs games after a month out with an ankle injury.
Discussions have been taking place for the past week between Klopp and Anfield officials, including owners Fenway Sports Group. While the Liverpool manager thinks that Fifa will allow Matip to play, he will consult Jonathan Bamber, the head of the club’s legal team.
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“We are in a lot of talks,” Klopp said. “Now it’s getting really tense on our side. Yes, of course [I will take legal advice]. But the decision is for me to make. I could put him in the line-up. I don’t think the referee is going to say, ‘Stop, stop, you cannot go on the pitch.’
“The decisive people at the end are the president of the Cameroon FA and Mr [Gianni] Infantino [Fifa president].
“My dream, what we need, is a letter. It’s clear that he is retired, but what we need is a letter from the official side of Cameroon that says the player is released and can play for Liverpool.”
Matip was withdrawn for Sunday’s Premier League draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford. The chances of Klopp selecting him have been reduced by Fifa indicating that it will intervene on Friday. With Liverpool confident, they may opt to wait 48 hours for a ruling. Fifa will either back Liverpool or begin a formal probe into the matter, which would mean Matip missing Saturday’s league game at home to Swansea City, the second leg of the EFL Cup semi-final with Southampton and a possible FA Cup fourth-round tie with Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Klopp already has a selection headache, with Liverpool likely to return to Merseyside in the early hours of Thursday after the trip to Devon, before the 12.30pm kick-off against Swansea on Saturday. Youngsters Connor Randall and Harry Wilson have been added to the squad, while Philippe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge could be involved.
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Guide to tonight’s other FA Cup ties
Newcastle United v Birmingham City
Kick-off 7.45pm
Radio talkSPORT 2
Team news Daryl Murphy will lead the Newcastle United attack. The 33-year-old, signed from Ipswich Town in the summer, plays in the absence of injured top-scorer Dwight Gayle and Aleksandar Mitrovic. Jonjo Shelvey, the midfielder, returns from a five-game suspension. Craig Gardner is ineligible for Birmingham, who may rest Michael Morrison and Lukas Jutkiewicz
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Referee L Probert
Stat Gayle has scored five times as many league goals (20) as any other Newcastle player.
Winners meet Oxford United (a)
Southampton v Norwich City
Kick-off 7.45pm
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Radio BBC 5 Live Sports Extra.
Team news Alex Neil will hope to get fans back onside but will make changes to his team, admitting that a return to form in the Sky Bet Championship is his main concern. “The most important thing is getting back on track in the league,” said the Norwich City manager. Steven Davis may be fit but Charlie Austin and Sofiane Boufal are out for the hosts. Jonny Howson is a Norwich doubt.
Referee J Moss
Stat Norwich topped the Championship in mid-October but are 21st in a table of results since then.
Winners to meet Arsenal (h)
