Liverpool did well to hold onto a point despite having to make late changes to their defence at Manchester United.
Ragnar Klavan coped well on his return to the side, with Jurgen Klopp forced to withdraw Joel Matip shortly before the game.
The Independent report that this was because FIFA are still failing to give the Reds assurances that the centre-back has officially retired from international football.
The Cameroonian is embroiled in a row with national team manager Hugo Broos after he included Matip in his squad for the African Cup of Nations, despite him having quit alongside a number of other players.
Rules stipulate that if a player is in a squad, then they should travel even if they are injured – and if they do not, they can be banned for the duration of the tournament.
Broos has approached FIFA asking them to impose that rule on Matip, and until the governing body confirm the player is understood to be retired, Liverpool can’t play him as he could later be deemed ineligible.
It’s unfortunate that Liverpool are suffering as a consequence of this feud, as not only as he been instrumental in their title bid, he initially retired from Cameroon while he was still with his old club Schalke.
The FA may now be forced to intervene to break the deadlock.
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