Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that Liverpool are still awaiting a verdict from FIFA as to whether Joel Matip can feature against Swansea City tomorrow.
A ruling is expected to be delivered by world football’s governing body on the defender’s current club versus country row between the Reds and Cameroon.
Matip continued a self-imposed international exile by declining to represent his country at the Africa Cup of Nations, which risked disciplinary sanctions.
FIFA rules stipulate that the centre-back could be suspended while the tournament in Gabon continues for failing to adhere to Cameroon’s request.
Klopp hopes to call on Matip for Swansea’s visit to Anfield but admits that he has been frustrated by the ongoing delay in clarifying the player’s eligibility.
He said: “It is difficult in this position, because with the fixtures we have at the moment, we don’t have a lot of training time.
“You have to work with the team which could start in the next game and when you’re not sure what to do with Joel, he is not that involved.
“I had to put me outside this case a little bit because I need my full concentration about other things.
“We knew about the Africa Cup of Nations and it is the same for all teams with African players.
“The Matip case is obviously, for us, special and we do not feel it is fair.
“We do what we can but we cannot change it and we cannot turn it in our direction because we want it.
“It is another experience which you don’t need but we have to learn from it.”