Joel Matip is Liverpool’s best centre-back by a considerable distance.
His absence yesterday was very obvious and in truth, Lucas and Dejan Lovren couldn’t cope without the Cameroonian.
We conceded four to Bournemouth and threw away a two goal lead with 15 minutes remaining. Loris Karius was to blame, but the defenders in front of him hardly covered themselves in glory…
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In the three Premier League matches Matip has missed, Liverpool have conceded nine goals and lost twice. In the 11 he’s started, we’re undefeated and have conceded nine goals as well.
That’s a very, very strong suggestion that the 26-year-old is completely crucial to our chances of success this campaign.
An ankle problem kept him out against the Cherries, but the injury is minor and we hope he’ll be ready to return next weekend for West Ham’s visit to Anfield.
We badly need him back in the lineup. The Lovren/Matip partnership looks good, but the Croatian looks lost without him, in truth.