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Robben out for six weeks; Klopp hopes Matip injury not serious

July 18, 2016 12:19 IST

Bayern Munich winger Arjen Robben has been ruled out for around six weeks after sustaining a groin muscle injury in Saturday's friendly against lower division side Lippstadt, the Bundesliga champions said.

The 32-year-old, who made only 15 league appearances in an injury-hit 2015-16 season, scored once in Bayern's 4-3 win in manager Carlo Ancelotti's first game in charge, but was forced off after 35 minutes.

"FC Bayern will be without Arjen Robben for the next month and a half after the Dutch winger sustained a groin muscle injury in Saturday's friendly away to Lippstadt," the club said in a statement on its website.

"The injury to the player's right leg was diagnosed after an examination conducted by the club's medical unit in Munich on Sunday. Robben will be sidelined for approximately six weeks."

Bayern, who won the domestic double last season by winning the Bundesliga for a record fourth straight time and the German Cup in May, kick off their title defence against Werder Bremen on Aug. 26.

‘I hope it's only a minor problem. It's not too serious, hopefully’

Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp hopes the ankle injury which defender Joel Matip suffered during Sunday's friendly win over Wigan Athletic is not a serious one.

The German-born Cameroon international, who joined on a free transfer from German Bundesliga side Schalke 04 at the end of last season, limped off in the final stages in Sunday's 2-0 win over the Championship side.

"I hope it's only a minor problem. It's not too serious, hopefully. We had to make the decision of Joel or Dejan (Lovren), who has to play the whole 90 minutes?" Klopp told the club's website.

With defender Mamadou Sakho, who underwent treatment for a long-standing Achilles problem, set to miss the Premier League opener against Arsenal on Aug. 14, Klopp is confident the 24-year-old will resume training on Tuesday.

"It's the foot he had problems with in the past and then he had a little bit of pain when pre-season started because of the intensity. He said he's had it one or two times already. He's used to it," the former Borussia Dortmund boss added.

"I think tomorrow (Monday) he'll rest, then he can go again."

Source: REUTERS
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