Joel Matip is set for an extended spell on the sidelines after suffering a setback in his recovery from a knee injury.

The defender has featured in just one of Liverpool’s last five fixtures - the 1-1 draw with Manchester United on October 20.

His absence from the two games prior to that visit to Old Trafford was put down to a knee knock sustained at Sheffield United.

And Jurgen Klopp revealed in his press conference ahead of last week’s win over Genk that the defender has suffered a recurrence of the issue.

He said: “It is just a little thing which usually settles in the two weeks.

“It did [settle], but then it came up after the United game and so now we just have to make sure this time it settles finally, that’s all.

“It is not a massive injury, it’s just a bit annoying for him and he cannot [face Genk].”

The German was initially optimistic that a brief period of rest would see Matip back to full fitness, but that no longer appears to be the case.

In Pictures | Liverpool vs Tottenham | 27/10/2019 17 show all In Pictures | Liverpool vs Tottenham | 27/10/2019 1/17 AP 2/17 Action Images via Reuters 3/17 Getty Images 4/17 REUTERS 5/17 Action Images via Reuters 6/17 Action Images via Reuters 7/17 Getty Images 8/17 AP 9/17 Liverpool FC via Getty Images 10/17 Getty Images 11/17 Liverpool FC via Getty Images 12/17 Liverpool FC via Getty Images 13/17 Liverpool FC via Getty Images 14/17 Liverpool FC via Getty Images 15/17 Liverpool FC via Getty Images 16/17 Action Images via Reuters 17/17 Liverpool FC via Getty Images 1/17 AP 2/17 Action Images via Reuters 3/17 Getty Images 4/17 REUTERS 5/17 Action Images via Reuters 6/17 Action Images via Reuters 7/17 Getty Images 8/17 AP 9/17 Liverpool FC via Getty Images 10/17 Getty Images 11/17 Liverpool FC via Getty Images 12/17 Liverpool FC via Getty Images 13/17 Liverpool FC via Getty Images 14/17 Liverpool FC via Getty Images 15/17 Liverpool FC via Getty Images 16/17 Action Images via Reuters 17/17 Liverpool FC via Getty Images

Standard Sport understands Matip could now actually be facing up to six weeks out of action.

That would rule the 28-year-old out of as many as 10 fixtures, including the upcoming visit of Manchester City to Anfield, a home Merseyside derby, and all three remaining Champions League group stage games.

A prolonged absence for Matip would provide further opportunities to Klopp’s back-up options at centre-half.

Dejan Lovren has taken on the role of deputy in recent games, starting alongside Virgil van Dijk against both Genk and Tottenham Hotspur.

However, Klopp has hinted that Joe Gomez is ready to push for further starts in the future after getting back to full fitness.

Liverpool squad 2019-20 | Injuries, contracts and squad numbers 25 show all Liverpool squad 2019-20 | Injuries, contracts and squad numbers 1/25 We run you through Liverpool's squad for the 2019-20 season... EPA 2/25 Alisson Becker Squad Number: 1



Condition: Fit



Contract expires: 30/06/2024 EPA 3/25 Fabinho Squad Number: 3



Condition: Fit



Contract expires: 30/06/2023 PA/Peter Byrne 4/25 Virgil van Dijk Squad Number: 4



Condition: Fit



Contract expires: 30/06/2023 Getty Images 5/25 Georginio Wijnaldum Squad Number: 5



Condition: Fit



Contract expires: 30/06/2021 PA 6/25 Dejan Lovren Squad Number: 6



Condition: Knock (late fitness test)



Contract expires: 30/06/2021 Liverpool FC via Getty Images 7/25 James Milner Squad Number: 7



Condition: Ready to return



Contract expires: 30/06/2022 AFP/Getty Images 8/25 Naby Keita Squad Number: 8



Condition: Fit



Contract expires: 30/06/2023 Getty Images/Liverpool FC 9/25 Roberto Firmino Squad Number: 9



Condition: Fit



Contract expires: 30/06/2023 AFP/Getty Images 10/25 Sadio Mane Squad Number: 10



Condition: Fit



Contract expires: 30/06/2023 Getty Images/Liverpool FC 11/25 Mohamed Salah Squad Number: 11



Condition: Fit



Contract expires: 30/06/2023 AFP/Getty Images 12/25 Joe Gomez Squad Number: 12



Condition: Fit



Contract expires: 30/06/2024 EPA 13/25 Adrian Squad Number: 13



Condition: Fit



West Ham United FC via Getty Ima 14/25 Jordan Henderson Squad Number: 14



Condition: Fit



Contract expires: 30/06/2023 PA 15/25 Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain Squad Number: 15



Condition: Fit



Contract expires: 30/06/2023 Getty Images 16/25 Takumi Minamino Squad Number: 18



Condition: Fit



Contract expires: 30/06/2024 Action Images via Reuters 17/25 Adam Lallana Squad Number: 20



Condition: Fit



Contract expires: 30/06/2020 Action images via Reuters 18/25 Xherdan Shaqiri Squad Number: 23



Condition: Calf injury (late fitness test)



Contract expires: 30/06/2023 Liverpool FC via Getty Images 19/25 Rhian Brewster Squad Number: 24



Condition: Fit (on loan at Swansea)



Contract expires: 30/06/2023 Liverpool FC via Getty Images 20/25 Andrew Robertson Squad Number: 26



Condition: Fit



Contract expires: 30/06/2024 Getty Images 21/25 Divock Origi Squad Number: 27



Condition: Fit



Contract expires: New long-term deal signed on 10/07/2019 Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images 22/25 Joel Matip Squad Number: 32



Condition: Ankle injury (Ruled out)



Contract expires: 30/06/2024 David Blunsden/Action Plus 23/25 Trent Alexander-Arnold Squad Number: 66



Condition: Fit



Contract expires: 30/06/2024 REUTERS 24/25 Kamil Grabara Squad Number: 73



Condition: Fit



Contract expires: 30/06/2022 Liverpool FC via Getty Images 25/25 Sepp van den Berg Squad Number: 72



Condition: Fit



Contract expires: 30/06/2024 Liverpool FC via Getty Images 1/25 We run you through Liverpool's squad for the 2019-20 season... EPA 2/25 Alisson Becker Squad Number: 1



Condition: Fit



Contract expires: 30/06/2024 EPA 3/25 Fabinho Squad Number: 3



Condition: Fit



Contract expires: 30/06/2023 PA/Peter Byrne 4/25 Virgil van Dijk Squad Number: 4



Condition: Fit



Contract expires: 30/06/2023 Getty Images 5/25 Georginio Wijnaldum Squad Number: 5



Condition: Fit



Contract expires: 30/06/2021 PA 6/25 Dejan Lovren Squad Number: 6



Condition: Knock (late fitness test)



Contract expires: 30/06/2021 Liverpool FC via Getty Images 7/25 James Milner Squad Number: 7



Condition: Ready to return



Contract expires: 30/06/2022 AFP/Getty Images 8/25 Naby Keita Squad Number: 8



Condition: Fit



Contract expires: 30/06/2023 Getty Images/Liverpool FC 9/25 Roberto Firmino Squad Number: 9



Condition: Fit



Contract expires: 30/06/2023 AFP/Getty Images 10/25 Sadio Mane Squad Number: 10



Condition: Fit



Contract expires: 30/06/2023 Getty Images/Liverpool FC 11/25 Mohamed Salah Squad Number: 11



Condition: Fit



Contract expires: 30/06/2023 AFP/Getty Images 12/25 Joe Gomez Squad Number: 12



Condition: Fit



Contract expires: 30/06/2024 EPA 13/25 Adrian Squad Number: 13



Condition: Fit



West Ham United FC via Getty Ima 14/25 Jordan Henderson Squad Number: 14



Condition: Fit



Contract expires: 30/06/2023 PA 15/25 Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain Squad Number: 15



Condition: Fit



Contract expires: 30/06/2023 Getty Images 16/25 Takumi Minamino Squad Number: 18



Condition: Fit



Contract expires: 30/06/2024 Action Images via Reuters 17/25 Adam Lallana Squad Number: 20



Condition: Fit



Contract expires: 30/06/2020 Action images via Reuters 18/25 Xherdan Shaqiri Squad Number: 23



Condition: Calf injury (late fitness test)



Contract expires: 30/06/2023 Liverpool FC via Getty Images 19/25 Rhian Brewster Squad Number: 24



Condition: Fit (on loan at Swansea)



Contract expires: 30/06/2023 Liverpool FC via Getty Images 20/25 Andrew Robertson Squad Number: 26



Condition: Fit



Contract expires: 30/06/2024 Getty Images 21/25 Divock Origi Squad Number: 27



Condition: Fit



Contract expires: New long-term deal signed on 10/07/2019 Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images 22/25 Joel Matip Squad Number: 32



Condition: Ankle injury (Ruled out)



Contract expires: 30/06/2024 David Blunsden/Action Plus 23/25 Trent Alexander-Arnold Squad Number: 66



Condition: Fit



Contract expires: 30/06/2024 REUTERS 24/25 Kamil Grabara Squad Number: 73



Condition: Fit



Contract expires: 30/06/2022 Liverpool FC via Getty Images 25/25 Sepp van den Berg Squad Number: 72



Condition: Fit



Contract expires: 30/06/2024 Liverpool FC via Getty Images

He told Sky Sports: "Joe is completely back. He knows that, it’s just how it is sometimes. He was not in his 100 per cent best shape. Now he’s back."