Joel Matip has boosted Liverpool’s mid-season prospects by refusing to play in the Africa Cup of Nations.
Jurgen Klopp will already be losing Sadio Mane for three weeks due to Senegal’s participation in the finals and had feared Matip may follow suit with Cameroon.
The defender has been on a self-imposed exile from his country since 2015 but national coach Hugo Broos hoped he could be convinced to reconsider.
Matip held talks with the Cameroon boss but his stance remains unchanged and has pledged to remain with Liverpool while the tournament takes place in Gabon.
“We actually had this talk a few weeks ago already, so I was not surprised,” said Klopp.
“Of course, I am happy about this, there is no doubt, but the players make these decisions by themselves – there is nothing the club can do.
“For Joel it is different because he has grown up in Germany and all that stuff, so that’s different.
“That’s always different and there are a few players like this – and so he decided this for himself and that is good for us.”
Since arriving on a free transfer from Schalke last summer, the 25-year-old has already established himself as one of Klopp’s first-choice centre-backs.
He is expected to return to action for Sunday’s visit of West Ham to Anfield after missing last weekend’s defeat against Bournemouth with an ankle injury.