Last term, Joel Matip was lauded on an almost weekly basis.
Liverpool fans couldn’t believe we’d picked up the Cameroonian for free, as he was consistently proving to be our best centre-back.
In fact, he and Dejan Lovren formed a strong partnership together and in the main, we struggled defensively when they were not paired together.
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But this season, Matip’s struggled alongside either Lovren or Ragnar Klavan and fans are suggesting he’s not the answer to our problems at the back.
Matip is a good defender who’s excellent on the ball, in our opinion. Does he need a regular partner who’s better than what we currently have? Yes. But he’s not the problem, for us.
Will I get tremendous amounts of abuse if I say that I no longer think Joel Matip is THAT good? Like, if I think he’s fine but nothing more?
— Ste Hoare (@stehoare) September 17, 2017
Matip average. Shit his pants at the high ball
— redkahn77 (@redkahny77) September 17, 2017
People point at Lovren but Matip is BANG average too. The centre halves and Firmino stealing a living. They have had 5 with a decent CF.
— Kian Corbett (@KianDean2001) September 16, 2017
Can we also now conclude Matip, though our best defender, is only above average not world class. Too weak & easily muscled off ball. #LFC
— (((James Dissent))) (@JamesDissent) September 16, 2017
Said last season, Matip is bang average at best, too weak, seems to quiet, loses so many battles
— Jamie Funnell (@funnellboi) September 16, 2017
Taa is a kid he needs at least a season or two under a experienced rb. Matip is average defender imo. Lovren Klavan aren’t good.
— Wajid (@w47id) September 16, 2017