Joel Matip ruled out of Liverpool's pre-season tour of US after sustaining new thigh injury

The defender picked up the injury in Liverpool's 3-1 defeat by Borussia Dortmund on Sunday

The defender will return to Merseyside to undergo rehabilitation (Getty Images)

Joel Matip has been ruled out of the rest of Liverpool’s pre-season tour of the US and will now return to Merseyside to undergo rehabilitation on a thigh injury he sustained against Borussia Dortmund.

The defender was withdrawn after just 22 minutes into Sunday's 3-1 defeat, having only recently returned to action after undergoing surgery on an injury that cut short his 2017/18 season.

Jurgen Klopp dismissed suggestions that Matip’s muscle strain was related to the injury that kept him out of the Champions League final and initially appeared hopeful of a quick recovery.

"It's not the same injury, it's another muscle, but it's a muscle, obviously. It looks like, hopefully, only a little tear," the Liverpool manager said.

However, Liverpool confirmed on Monday that the tear would see Matip return to Merseyside.

"Joel Matip will leave Liverpool's pre-season tour of the United States to undergo rehabilitation on the muscle injury he sustained against Borussia Dortmund on Sunday," a statement read.

"The defender picked up the issue midway through the first half of the International Champions Cup fixture and was immediately substituted.

"Though the muscle injury suffered in his upper leg is not considered to be a long-term concern, Matip will not be available for selection in the remaining two games in America.

"He is therefore returning to Merseyside and will continue his recovery at Melwood."

Matip's last appearance of 2017/18 came in March, with the Cameroon centre-back sustaining a thigh injury against Crystal Palace and subsequently undergoing an operation.

He made his return to action in Liverpool's 0-0 friendly against Bury on 14 July and started again against Blackburn Rovers, which the Reds won 2-0.