Joel Matip reveals why he snubbed Senegal in the African Cup of Nations to stay at Liverpool

LIVERPOOL defender Joel Matip has revealed why he snubbed his call-up to the Cameroon national team this week after being selected to represent his home nation at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Matip handed the Anfield boss Jurgen Klopp a major boost after revealing he will not be abandoning Liverpool's title chase in January in favour of international duty.

"It’s not an easy decision but I want to concentrate on Liverpool. I want to be here," Matip told Liverpoolfc.com.

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

Cameroon manager Hugo Broos has been trying to encourage the 25-year old to bring his self-imposed hiatus from the national team to an end after making an impressive start to life in the Premier League.

The African nation were hopeful that their fresh attempts to lure the Liverpool star back to international football would be successful - but luckily for Jurgen Klopp, Matip could not be lured away.

The defender has frequently chosen to opt out of international duty, even going as far as ignoring Broos' attempts to contact him.

Matip, who was named Standard Chartered Player of the Month for November, is expected to return to the Liverpool side for Sunday's visit of West Ham after an ankle injury ruled him out of last weekend's last gasp 4-3 defeat at Bournemouth.