(Reuters) - Liverpool defender Joel Matip could return from his muscle injury sooner than expected, manager Juergen Klopp said as he ruled out the centre-back for Wednesday's Champions League clash against Spartak Moscow. Matip, one of Liverpool's first-choice centre-backs, was expected to be sidelined for a month after picking up the injury in the club's 3-0 Premier League win at Stoke City last week but Klopp is hoping the 26-year-old can make a quicker recovery. I don't know how long exactly he'll be out, but he's definitely not playing Wednesday," Klopp told the club's website. In Matip's absence, midfielders Gini Wijnaldum and Emre Can were part of a three-man defence in Liverpool's 5-1 league win over Brighton and Hove Albion last Saturday and Klopp praised the duo for their adaptability. Klopp's side are unbeaten in the Champions League and top of their group ahead of their final group match against Moscow.

Source: The Star December 04, 2017 09:56 UTC