Joël Matip

[Fosterbloke]

Didn't catch the Schalke game last weekend. Did anyone else see how he got on?

Proper end to end stuff apparently. A comical own goal set up buy one of our targets (Nordveit), Xhaka doing very well and Matip probably just letting them play through him (couldn't find more information on him).

I just read that Arsenal are in talks with Xhaka. Disappointing if true.

[Bender]

Proper end to end stuff apparently. A comical own goal set up buy one of our targets (Nordveit), Xhaka doing very well and Matip probably just letting them play through him (couldn't find more information on him).

I just read that Arsenal are in talks with Xhaka. Disappointing if true.

along with them signing Kroos forget it

[Cormack74]

Sorry.

I was expecting more from you Mike

[Cormack74]

Proper end to end stuff apparently. A comical own goal set up buy one of our targets (Nordveit), Xhaka doing very well and Matip probably just letting them play through him (couldn't find more information on him).

I just read that Arsenal are in talks with Xhaka. Disappointing if true.

Sounds like the wrong week to miss it.

[Cormack74]

Only just got round to watching Schalke's games from the last couple of weeks.

The Ingolstadt fixture he was up against his brother who plays in the same position. Our Joel headed over (as usual) early on from a free kick. He's good at attacking the ball in the opponents box and equally good at missing the target. Committed what looked like a professional foul after half an hour but didn't get booked then narrowly failed to get on the end of a free kick at the other end. Finished the half with a cracking 50 yard pass to Sane before failing to track Hinterseer's run as Ingl' scored their second.

Began the second half with what was almost a peach of a pass into the box before his CB partner gift wrapped Ingl's third. Made a decent block near the end but didn't have alot to do other than getting booked for a challenge from behind . Assured on the ball again and could well be a better DM option than a CB.

[Cormack74]

V Dortmund, relatively quiet first half save for a couple of defensive headers and interceptions. In the second, couldn't prevent Mikitirian's (sp?) assist for Kagawa's goal but made an excellent block on Miki R shortly after Dortmund scored a second. Then half fluffed a back pass and almost let Aubemayang in before allowing the same player to get goal side almost resulting in him scoring.

Not sure he's better than what we've got defensively. His attributes look more suited a bit further forward.

[brightred]

I trust Jurgen to make that decision!

[Muddled]

I believe Hummels spent some time as a defensive midfielder before Klopp played him defence and utilised Hummel's passing ability as a springboard for many of their attacks. Perhaps Klopp has a similar idea in mind with Matip.

[kev776]

I believe Hummels spent some time as a defensive midfielder before Klopp played him defence and utilised Hummel's passing ability as a springboard for many of their attacks. Perhaps Klopp has a similar idea in mind with Matip.

All German central defenders will have played in midfield at some time of their development, it is a normal method of developing players, rarely will a kid who enters their youth team system stay in one area of the pitch.

[Muddled]

Yeah, it's not unusual for a player to become a professional footballer in a different position to what they played growing up (a left winger becoming a left back, a tall forward becoming a centre back). I wasn't aware of the German system, but it's always good to learn.

I just wondered if Klopp sees some of Hummels in Matip and we'll see a lot of our attacking play start through Matip and if so, is he a certain starter and who is his partner?

[Cormack74]

Had a stab at watching Schalke's game v Bayern but fell asleep. From the bit I did see he was on the left of a back three and it didn't suit him not least because he doesn't have a left foot. Distributed well with his right again though: CM would suit him better IMO.

[Phoenix07]

Yeah, it's not unusual for a player to become a professional footballer in a different position to what they played growing up (a left winger becoming a left back, a tall forward becoming a centre back). I wasn't aware of the German system, but it's always good to learn.

I just wondered if Klopp sees some of Hummels in Matip and we'll see a lot of our attacking play start through Matip and if so, is he a certain starter and who is his partner?

I've been convinced for a while that it will be Lovren.

He's a consistent performer, and you know what you're going to get from him every game - aggression in the air, clearing your lines, just no nonsense defending. Matip would add the playmaking element. I think for the third Reus goal against us, the assist came from Hummels, who moved up the pitch and slid the ball through.

It's nothing against Sakho, as he has the ability to produce monstrous performances, but there's also an uncertainty as to which Sakho is going to turn up. Having three centre-backs in Lovren, Matip, and Sakho will be superb.

[frank the tank]

i wonder will we see 3 centre backs start more frequently?? Especially at home when Matip could effectively become the player that brings the ball into midfield and starts attacks.


In reality though, having Sakho Matip and Lovren will be a good conundrum for Klopp.

[redmike65]

Didn't see the game but Matip played a Brazil '70 style assist today in 3-1 win.

http://videa.hu/videok/sport/schalke-3-1-NpIsvOsumnsniot8?start=10.652789

[Cormack74]

V Hoffenheim, a bit lax defensively. Inclined to follow the ball rather than the man not for the first time this season in the games I've seen. Hansenesque run to half way and sumptuous through ball for the first goal plus his usual header over the bar from a set piece. Never especially keen to use his left foot which almost caused issues a couple of times. His performances definitely seem to follow the same pattern.