Football
Glenn Price, Liverpool correspondent 7y

Joel Matip turned down Cameroon ANC chance to 'focus on Liverpool'

Joel Matip has explained how he turned down the chance to represent Cameroon at the upcoming African Nations Cup in order to fully concentrate on his first season at Liverpool.

Sources told ESPN FC earlier this week that national team boss Hugo Broos was trying to convince Matip, who has not played for his country since 2015, to end his international exile. 

However, Reds manager Jurgen Klopp told reporters on Friday that Matip was set to stay put on Merseyside during the competition, which takes place in Gabon between Jan. 14 and Feb. 5. 

"It's not an easy decision but I want to concentrate on Liverpool. I want to be here," Matip told Liverpool's official website. 

"I want to focus on Liverpool and that's what I had to decide. I think I took the right decision."

Matip, who was named the club's player of the month for November, is set to return to the Liverpool side for Sunday's encounter with West Ham United after sitting out the Bournemouth defeat last weekend with an ankle injury.

The centre-back has been exceptional for Klopp's team this campaign following his free transfer from Schalke in the summer.

Liverpool have only lost two Premier League games so far this season -- at Burnley and Bournemouth -- with Matip not featuring in either match.

"I'm feeling better and better, and I hope I can help the team at the weekend," Matip added. 

"I'm on a good way and I'm feeling fit."

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