Liverpool eased Joel Matip back into action following a six-week absence by playing the defender for their Under-23 side on Sunday.

Matip was on the bench for Liverpool's home defeat against Swansea on Saturday, but Reds boss Jurgen Klopp did not feel ready to use the defender, who only received clearance to play from FIFA at 8pm on Friday following an international spat with Cameroon.




The Reds fielded Matip for an hour long run-out in their 3-0 Premier League Cup win over Ipswich Town and he was one of a clutch of first team stars who played.

Alberto Moreno, Joe Gomez and Kevin Stewart also featured in the match, with Klopp looking to keep his fringe players match sharp.
 


With Liverpool in action on Wednesday night when they host Southampton at Anfield in the second leg of their EFL Cup tie against Southampton, Matip could be in line to feature after coming through the Under-23s game.

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Klopp played Dejan Lovren and Ragnar Klavan as his centre-back pairing against Swansea, but Liverpool conceded three goals as they went down to a 3-2 defeat.

Matip has been lauded for his assured displays for Liverpool since landing at the club last summer from Bundesliga club Schalke.