Fearing the wrath of FIFA if they play Joël Matip on Wednesday against Plymouth, Liverpool and Jürgen Klopp are waiting on the disciplinary case’s outcome on Friday before making a decision.
The centre-back, who refused to play for Cameroon at the Africa Cup of Nations despite being selected in his country’s preliminary squad, hasn’t played for Liverpool since picking up an injury in mid-December, and could potentially be ineligible until the end of the AFCON in February.
His decision to remain at his club during the international competition hasn’t particularly gone down well back home, with Cameroon legend Roger Milla voicing his displeasure at Matip’s choice, one mirrored by six other players including Schalke’s Eric Choupo-Moting and West Brom’s Allan Nyom.
Speaking to AFP, relayed ADIAC-Congo, the former Monaco striker said: “It’s treason to say ‘no’ to your country. You can’t blackmail your country. Never. If they prefer to stay in the clubs, they stay there and that’s it. Cameroon is full of players, we don’t have a problem.
“They’re sons of Cameroon, and will always be so. It’s because of Cameroon they’ll be great players. If they aren’t in the national team, no big club will want to buy them.”
Matip, who hasn’t played for Cameroon since a 1-0 win over Gambia in June 2015, decided to snub his country’s call-up due to a ‘bad experience’ with the previous coaching staff.
The defender has made 14 appearances for Liverpool since his arrival on a free from Schalke in the summer, scoring one goal, in a 4-2 win against Crystal Palace.
