Joël Matip

[BobTheCharmer]

Where was this cunt today?

Badly missed. His record speaks for itself.

[redmike65]

Matip 11 games 9 goals conceded, No Matip 3 games 9 goals conceded

[Lecter]

Matip 11 games 9 goals conceded, No Matip 3 games 9 goals conceded

Those figures alone show its not just about him bringing the ball out of the back

When he plays we are a better unit when defending

[Bender]

Also shows we don't have enough quality at the back.

[redmike65]

I'd suggest Van Dijk but for Palace 3 - 0 Soton Just shows that defending is a collective thing not down to one player.

[Lecter]

I'd suggest Van Dijk but for Palace 3 - 0 Soton Just shows that defending is a collective thing not down to one player.

It is about being a unit

But sometimes one player is the glue that holds together the unit

I'd definitely argue that Matip is the glue to the back four unit

If you had asked me in the summer I would have said we dont need another centrehalf, however with the Sakho situation has made me re-evaluate that

We do need another centrehalf and I would definitely take Van Dijk

[labourRed]

Sell Sakho for 15m, buy Van Dijk for £35 and we look much better at CB, but the defending of a team point is a valid one.

Individually i like all our midfielders but as a unit i have my reservations. I don't think Dahoud is the answer - in fact i know he isn't. The closest possible thing we can get to Kante would take us some way to title contenders.

[kev776]

I'm not saying it's not a factor by any means, but the pressure was telling in more areas that the CBs in that second half. Both the midfield and the defence were a disgrace for large swathes of the period when they were right on top of us.
Would Matip have made a difference - probably, probably not. We thought that game was sewn up and we were ****ing wrong. And a number of players who decided to take a rest in the second half need to take a long look in the mirror.

[Doc_Piptorious]

Sell Sakho for 15m, buy Van Dijk for £35 and we look much better at CB, but the defending of a team point is a valid one.

Individually i like all our midfielders but as a unit i have my reservations. I don't think Dahoud is the answer - in fact i know he isn't. The closest possible thing we can get to Kante would take us some way to title contenders.

Naby Keita at RB Leipzig seems to be getting rated as being somewhat of that style. Not seen much of him but reading up it would seem that he has a very strong mix of defensive and attacking qualities.


Demme at the same club seems to be getting good ratings as a pure DM.

[Charly]

It is about being a unit

But sometimes one player is the glue that holds together the unit

I'd definitely argue that Matip is the glue to the back four unit

If you had asked me in the summer I would have said we dont need another centrehalf, however with the Sakho situation has made me re-evaluate that

We do need another centrehalf and I would definitely take Van Dijk

Really? You thought Lovren and Lucas ( and even Sakho) were good enough?

I generally thought we have had one of the worst defences (organisationally speaking) in the league for several seasons. None of the centrebacks from last year were even remotely good enough for a top four side. I was hoping we would get a new pairing, but its even more important now. Teams know that if they come at us, we will buckle. Without Matip we are a total shambles. I think tactically Klopp knows what he wants but Lucas and Lovren dont have what it takes to fully implement his positioning and play. This uncertainty causes the entire line to panic. I dont think Sakho is disciplined enough to play there either, but he does have confidence which we are lacking without Matip.

[Irishnev]

Naby Keita at RB Leipzig seems to be getting rated as being somewhat of that style. Not seen much of him but reading up it would seem that he has a very strong mix of defensive and attacking qualities.


Demme at the same club seems to be getting good ratings as a pure DM.

I've seen him described as Kante with goals - he apparently turned us down in the summer also and given how well RBL are going he won't be moving this winter. If and when he goes he'll be expensive

[Patricks_Berger]

Looks like we are 2 or 3 players short as is the norm for our twice-a-decade title challenges.

Top quality GK and CB required. Selling Pepe looks like a massive error now.

[BigChief]

What's this chatter about Matip maybe going to AFCoN now?

[McDermotX]

Well.....situations change. If he wants to play for his country, I'm sure it could be worked out with their FA.


Sure, it'll be grand.......plenty of cover.


....................Oh



FWIW, if it's something seriously on the cards (thought it'd been a long time since he played for them, but it was only in 2015), I'd wonder if Klopp is the sort who'd take him aside and say 'look, you want to establish yourself here, so maybe, you know.....you know'
Not 100% Klopp is the sort to do that.....he strikes me as the sort who'd want to do what's best for the player first and foremost, but who knows.

Probably not worth moaning about until something concrete looks to be happening.

[Charly]

What's this chatter about Matip maybe going to AFCoN now?

Its okay, because Lucas can deputise.