Latest: Jurgen Klopp bemoans defensive injuries ahead of Champions League clash with Man City

Latest: Liverpool's preparations for their Champions League quarter-final against Manchester City have been dealt a huge blow after a "very serious" thigh injury ruled out Joel Matip for the rest of the season.

Latest: Jurgen Klopp bemoans defensive injuries ahead of Champions League clash with Man City

Update 3.31pm: Liverpool's preparations for their Champions League quarter-final against Manchester City have been dealt a huge blow after a "very serious" thigh injury ruled out Joel Matip for the rest of the season.

The centre-back sustained a problem in Saturday's win at Crystal Palace and will require an operation.

"Matip was able to complete the full 90 minutes of the fixture, but afterwards medical assessment on the thigh revealed surgery is expected to be required to correct the problem," said a statement on liverpoolfc.com.

"The operation is likely to end the 26-year-old's involvement in the remainder of the 2017-18 season."

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has given England fans hope that Adam Lallana could be available for the World Cup after suggesting there is a small chance he may play again this season.

The 29-year-old was forced off just five minutes after coming on as a substitute against Crystal Palace on Saturday but Klopp says his leg injury is not as bad as the Reds first feared.

He told Liverpoolfc.com: "Thank God, that's not as bad as we thought - a number of weeks.

"There is a little hope, of course, that we can maybe use him again this season but we have to wait. It is absolutely not the time to bring any rush into the situation.

"It is not the Adam Lallana season so far. It makes the season so far even more special when you think that we have played the season without him. He will be back for pre-season, of course."

Speaking at his press conference, Klopp gave an update on Liverpool's other injured players.

He said: "Joel (Matip) is out for the rest of the season, no doubt about that. It's very serious.

"Emre (Can) will at least be very close for tomorrow - but it doesn't look too good.

"Ragnar Klavan is unavailable. If there is a centre-half in the room I am open for talks!"

Liverpool are the only team to have beaten City in the Premier League so far this season but Klopp knows doing so is far from easy.

He added: "It is a big game against one of the best teams - if not the best team - in Europe. That's nice.

"We beat City a few months ago. We know it's possible. It's just unbelievably difficult to do it.

"I have never beaten Pep Guardiola - it was always my teams. The record is not important. Pep is not worried about that record and I am not."

Klopp added: "They (City) will be a deserved champion of the Premier League but football is about being perfectly prepared for the next game.

"It is not about yesterday, it is about tomorrow. Their confidence is probably at an extremely high level but we are also in a good moment.

"They can win wherever they go but we can win games as well.

"I like difficult challenges, they are the most interesting. It is a big opportunity and we will try everything to make it happen.

"I won't name weaknesses but they are not perfect. That is not possible."

Speaking about the atmosphere at Anfield and the prospect of crowds lining the streets to greet the coach, Klopp said: "I don't know what it does to the opposition but it's great, it shows passion.

"It is a welcome for my team."

Earlier: Liverpool defender Joel Matip ruled out for rest of the season

Liverpool's preparations for their Champions League quarter-final against Manchester City have been dealt a huge blow after a thigh injury ruled out Joel Matip for the rest of the season.

The centre-back sustained a problem in Saturday's win at Crystal Palace and will require an operation.

"Matip was able to complete the full 90 minutes of the fixture, but afterwards medical assessment on the thigh revealed surgery is expected to be required to correct the problem," said a statement on liverpoolfc.com.

"The operation is likely to end the 26-year-old's involvement in the remainder of the 2017-18 season."

- PA

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