Joël Matip

[redmike65]

These LFCtv interviews are genuinely sickening - they should be up before a war crimes tribunal

[Tee]

These LFCtv interviews are genuinely sickening - they should be up before a war crimes tribunal

They are full of cheese

[G]

These LFCtv interviews are genuinely sickening - they should be up before a war crimes tribunal

I had to stop watching them long ago, they are a disaster. Probably no worse than anyone else's I'd imagine but christ, show some imagination and ask some interesting ****.

[danperkins]

Was saying awhile back I was wondering would Klopp play Matip as DM, as he has previous there? With Sakho back and Lovren there, I'm just wondering what Klopp will do with those three. Maybe with the two current CBs being a bit iffy and Matip being new he ll probably rotate. Just hate the thought of us constantly rotating our Cbs, we've been doing it for years.

[Doc_Piptorious]

Was saying awhile back I was wondering would Klopp play Matip as DM, as he has previous there? With Sakho back and Lovren there, I'm just wondering what Klopp will do with those three. Maybe with the two current CBs being a bit iffy and Matip being new he ll probably rotate. Just hate the thought of us constantly rotating our Cbs, we've been doing it for years.

Doubt Matip would be used as a DM too often. Maybe as a stop gap for a small number of games or as a tactical move during a specific game, but would be very surprised to see him used as a DM on a regular basis. Might be wrong but I think the bulk of his DM appearances came earlier in his career with the number of games in that role decreasing season by season as he made the CB slot his own.

He can play there but it's similar to how Agger was capable of the odd game (or part of game) in that role. Good in a pinch but exposed if played there too often.

My feeling is that Matip was got to be a starter at RCB, but Lovern's form in the latter part of the season has meant that pre season will now decide who makes up the pairing to start the season rather than the Matip-Sakho combo that seemed to be on the cards when Matip confirmed he was coming back in January or whenever.

[kubrickscube]

Going off prematurely based purely on a meaningless 45 minutes against Tranmere, I'd say he was behind Lovren and Sakho in the pecking order. Certainly didn't scream leadership.

[labourRed]

Going off prematurely based purely on a meaningless 45 minutes against Tranmere, I'd say he was behind Lovren and Sakho in the pecking order. Certainly didn't scream leadership.

I'd say premature. Considering he was post op and couldn't jump.

That said, Lovren and Sakho showed a lot of promise as a pairing.

[danperkins]

Yeah it's a hard one to gauge at the moment. Might get some idea towards the end of pre season. Unfortunately for us, we have a poxy opening fixture so we have to get the paring right. It will be long overdue for us to get a consistent solid back line. LB for me is a big issue. Dortmund have picked up a diamond in Guerrero.

[Doc_Piptorious]

Going off prematurely based purely on a meaningless 45 minutes against Tranmere, I'd say he was behind Lovren and Sakho in the pecking order. Certainly didn't scream leadership.

Would not really describe him as an obvious leader. Yes he is a bit of a talker at the back, but his name would not spring to mind quickly if thinking about leaders/organisers at the back be it in Germany or England. He can make things happen through bringing the ball out from the back or stop things from happening with interceptions/tackles but rallying the troops would not be his forte imo.


Thenn again Lovern looked like a god in the friendly against Dortmund

[Phoenix07]

Klopp said: “Joel Matip had a little surgery during the break – he had a screw in his ankle – so they had to take it out because it was an old injury.

“He got a little bit of an infection and he’s only been two weeks in training. You could see in the first half he couldn’t jump, which is actually one of his big strengths, so he lost one or two headed challenges. That’s the moment, that’s how pre-season is – you watch it and you say ‘that’s OK, that’s not OK’ and you work on it or ignore or whatever.”

Read more at http://www.squawka.com/news/jurgen-k...ylwAkokXE3P.99

[dww]

With the news of an injury to Sakho he will go into the season as a starter. Hopefully he recovers from the injury quickly so he can get a run of friendlies playing at 100% with the team as we will need a solid defensive unit from the get go IMO.

[redmike65]

Oh great a defender crisis already!

[BigChief]

Oh great a defender crisis already!

It will only become a crisis when we cancel the sale of Skrtel.

[Angryred]

It will only become a crisis when we cancel the sale of Skrtel.

God Forbid!!!!

[Assassin]

It will only become a crisis when we cancel the sale of Skrtel.