Liverpool defender Joel Matip is struggling to make Sunday's clash with Manchester United.

The Mirror says Matip is running out of time to prove his fitness ahead of Sunday's table-topping clash with Manchester United.

It is understood the Liverpool centre half has progressed to training in specially-prepared sessions with the physios, as he returns following an adductor injury sustained against West Brom on December 27.

With Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez out long-term, Matip is vital to boss Jurgen Klopp's plans, especially with the game against United being billed as a title showdown.

Matip is back running and working with a ball on grass, but he has yet to train with the first-team squad, and Klopp would need to see him train for two sessions with his team-mates, and come through with no reaction, to be ready.