Liverpool have been handed a major boost ahead of a packed festive fixture period with the news that Joel Matip will not be heading off to the Africa Cup of Nations in January.
The centre back is reportedly set to snub Cameroon's attempts to call him up to their squad for the international tournament, according to the Times, and will instead remain on Merseyside to help the Reds continue their Premier League title challenge.
The news will come as sweet music to the ears of Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, who had been left sweating over the possibility of losing two key players for up to five weeks next month.
Klopp is already expected to be without Sadio Mane after the forward was called up by Senegal for the competition due to be held in Gabon, but Matip is said to havesnubbed the advances of Cameroon boss Hugo Broos to end his international exile.
The 25-year-old has not played for his nation of birth since September 2015 and, despite the Indomitable Lions' best efforts, looks set to continue his 15-month absence on the world stage.
Matip's importance to the Liverpool cause was underlined when he sat out last Sunday's eventual 4-3 defeat away to Bournemouth, with the Reds throwing away a commanding 3-1 lead to fall to only their second league defeat of the season.
Joel Matip has reassured Liverpool he will not be going to Africa Cup of Nations next month with Cameroon.
Despite only moving to Anfield in the summer on a free transfer, the former Schalke star has already become a cult hero among Reds supporters, with his no-nonsense, combative displays receiving praise from all corners of Liverpool's fanbase.
Matip has featured 12 times for Liverpool since his summer switch, and had played every minute of Premier League football since August 27 until a knock forced him to miss the trip to the Vitality stadium.
He is expected to be fit to return for the Reds' home match against West Ham United on Sunday.
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