Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that Joel Matip will not end his international exile for next month's Africa Cup of Nations.
Cameroon head coach Hugo Broos recently indicated that Matip could represent the nation in the tournament, which gets underway in Gabon on January 14.
The defender has not played for the country since 2015, and according to Klopp, the 25-year-old has no plans to return.
"We had this talk already a few weeks ago so I was not surprised," the manager told reporters in Friday's press conference. "I was happy about this, but players have to make their these decisions for themselves.
"For Joel it is different because he has grown up in Germany. He decided himself and it is good for us."
The news means that Matip will be available for the hectic winter period in the Premier League, where the Reds currently sit third in the table.
Written by
Danielle Joynson
Danielle Joynson
