Another Liverpool defender injured? Joel Matip undergoes scan

Premier League - Everton v Liverpool - Goodison Park, Liverpool, Britain - October 17, 2020 Liverpool's Joel Matip and Everton's Jordan Pickford after the match [REUTERS/Laurence Griffiths]

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp must make a decision on Joel Matip after he underwent a scan following their Merseyside derby draw with Everton.

The Reds have lost Virgil van Dijk for several months as he requires surgery on the ACL injury he suffered early in the game.

And Matip, who only made his comeback from injury in the game, also picked up a knock.

A video did the rounds on social media allegedly showing Matip at Liverpool's local hospital after the game, where Van Dijk and Thiago Alcantara both underwent scans.

The Times have now reported the defender did also undergo a scan with no major issue detected.

Jurgen Klopp must now determine whether to risk Matip against Ajax in the Champions League after Van Dijk's injury left him as one of just two senior centre-backs alongside Joe Gomez.

If he misses out, it is likely Fabinho will drop into the back four.

Other options include youngsters Nathaniel Phillips, Rhys Williams, Sepp van den Berg and Billy Koumetio, who have all been in and around Klopp's first-team setup.

Everton's Dominic Calvert-Lewin in action with Liverpool's Joel Matip [REUTERS/Catherine Ivill]

Van Dijk, meanwhile, has vowed to come back stronger in an open letter after his injury fears were confirmed.

"This afternoon I met with a leading consultant to start the process of planning the finer details of my rehabilitation following the incident yesterday," van Dijk wrote.

"I'm now fully focused on my recovery and will do everything I can to be back as quickly as possible.

"Despite the obvious disappointment, I'm a firm believer that within difficulty lies opportunity and with God's help I'm going to make sure I return better, fitter and stronger than ever before.

"In football, as in life, I believe everything happens for a reason and it's important to keep level headed whether going through the highs or the lows.

"With the support of my wife, kids, family and everyone at Liverpool, I'm ready for the challenge ahead.

"I'd like to thank everyone for the messages of support, it's meant a huge amount to me and my family, and I'll now be doing everything possible to support my teammates in any way that I can ahead of a big few weeks as I take my recovery day by day. I'll be back."