Liverpool have put themselves at risk of FIFA sanctions by considering playing Joel Matip in their FA Cup tie with Plymouth Argyle.
Matip’s availability remains clouded in uncertainty after the Reds defender rejected Cameroon’s request for him to feature in the Africa Cup of Nations.
He was included in his country’s 35-man squad for the tournament in Gabon despite continuing a self-imposed international exile since 2015.
The country’s football federation threatened to refer the matter to FIFA, which may see both Matip and Liverpool themselves hit with disciplinary sanctions.
Attempts by Anfield officials to seek clarification from world football’s governing body have been met with relative silence which prompted a club statement last weekend.
West Brom defender Allan Nyom faces a similar predicament after he also withdrew from selection by Cameroon head coach Hugo Broos.
But Jurgen Klopp is now threatening to defy FIFA by potentially fielding Matip for the third round replay at Home Park on Wednesday evening.