Joel Matip appreciation thread

[rurikbird]

It took longer than I anticipated, but Matip and Van Dijk have finally formed a world-class CB partnership we've all been craving. I was excited about this signing from Schalke at the time, thinking that finally we had found a defensive leader – and somehow got him for free! He has shown early promise in that first injury-riddled and Afcon-curtailed season, but then, disappointingly, seemed to retreat into his shell against the physicality of the Premier League – and I think as a system-oriented defender he was also getting frustrated by a succession of erratic and individualistic partners. In Van Dijk Matip finally found a partner he could trust to cover for him and thus allowed the proactive side of his game to shine. And shine it did: last season Joel has been one of the best CBs in the world at bringing the ball out of defense, both with passing and runs:

Somehow the Italian commentary makes this compilation even better:


By the end of the season, Matip's form has been so scorching hot that he has been regularly outshining even his great defensive partner, with a magnificent performance in the 2nd leg against Barcelona a particular highlight as well as the assist for Origi's goal in the final. He has stared 26 games last season with exactly half of them ending with a clean sheet. Looking at the defensive stats, he has been second only to Palace's Scott Dann in headed duels won per 90 minutes among defenders (10.95) and 4th in interceptions per 90 (4.38). There were no defensive errors leading to a goal. The doubts about his awkward giraffe-like running style and risky forays forward were often brought up by fans, but I guess once you get tested by Messi and Suarez (and Kane and Son etc) and come through with flying colours, that should mostly put those fears to bed. I think Matip's exceptional interception ability and willingness to bring the ball out of defense perfectly complements Van Dijk's dominant physicality and no-nonsense style. So all of this to say that at this point, as much as we all like Gomez (and as much as Lovren likes himself), there is no doubt that Matip and Van Dijk should start the season as our #1 defensive pairing. They are both entering their prime at 27 and hopefully will anchor our defense for years to come.

 

[moron]

He has been brilliant this season and watching him run out with the ball and driving through midfield opposition has been for me one of the best highlights of the season along with his zippy passing. To be honest - I have not ever had a problem with him even before VVD joined us, other than being frustrated with his constant injury record. His quality was easy to see, and he has one of the important qualities you find in the great Italian defenders which is having a cool head under pressure. I hope we do everything to keep this partnership intact although I do feel sorry for Gomez as I think he is an outstanding partner for VVD too, and a partner who has yet to make a mistake alongside him.

On a side note - just want to say I actually believe Gomez injuries are related to him playing in those RB/LB positions, I just don't think he is cut out to do the necessary running and turning on the side lines, I think it constrains him physically and the type of running required in those positions makes him prone to injuries. So right now we have a problem in trying to keep 4 world class CB's happy !!! - good thing if you can keep them in the team.

 

[doctor_mac]

It took longer than I anticipated, but Matip and Van Dijk have finally formed a world-class CB partnership we've all been craving. I was excited about this signing from Schalke at the time, thinking that finally we had found a defensive leader – and somehow got him for free! He has shown early promise in that first injury-riddled and Afcon-curtailed season, but then, disappointingly, seemed to retreat into his shell against the physicality of the Premier League – and I think as a system-oriented defender he was also getting frustrated by a succession of erratic and individualistic partners. In Van Dijk Matip finally found a partner he could trust to cover for him and thus allowed the proactive side of his game to shine. And shine it did: last season Joel has been one of the best CBs in the world at bringing the ball out of defense, both with passing and runs:

Somehow the Italian commentary makes this compilation even better:


By the end of the season, Matip's form has been so scorching hot that he has been regularly outshining even his great defensive partner, with a magnificent performance in the 2nd leg against Barcelona a particular highlight as well as the assist for Origi's goal in the final. He has stared 26 games last season with exactly half of them ending with a clean sheet. Looking at the defensive stats, he has been second only to Palace's Scott Dann in headed duels won per 90 minutes among defenders (10.95) and 4th in interceptions per 90 (4.38). There were no defensive errors leading to a goal. The doubts about his awkward giraffe-like running style and risky forays forward were often brought up by fans, but I guess once you get tested by Messi and Suarez (and Kane and Son etc) and come through with flying colours, that should mostly put those fears to bed. I think Matip's exceptional interception ability and willingness to bring the ball out of defense perfectly complements Van Dijk's dominant physicality and no-nonsense style. So all of this to say that at this point, as much as we all like Gomez (and as much as Lovren likes himself), there is no doubt that Matip and Van Dijk should start the season as our #1 defensive pairing. They are both entering their prime at 27 and hopefully will anchor our defense for years to come.

Gomez has to earn his position, and Matip is definitely going to make it very hard for him on his form this season. Great post.

 

[rurikbird]

He has been brilliant this season and watching him run out with the ball and driving through midfield opposition has been for me one of the best highlights of the season along with his zippy passing. To be honest - I have not ever had a problem with him even before VVD joined us, other than being frustrated with his constant injury record. His quality was easy to see, and he has one of the important qualities you find in the great Italian defenders which is having a cool head under pressure. I hope we do everything to keep this partnership intact although I do feel sorry for Gomez as I think he is an outstanding partner for VVD too, and a partner who has yet to make a mistake alongside him.

On a side note - just want to say I actually believe Gomez injuries are related to him playing in those RB/LB positions, I just don't think he is cut out to do the necessary running and turning on the side lines, I think it constrains him physically and the type of running required in those positions makes him prone to injuries. So right now we have a problem in trying to keep 4 world class CB's happy !!! - good thing if you can keep them in the team.

To be honest, I think we only have 1 indisputably world-class CB. Not trying to open the "what is world class" can of worms again, but I think Matip has all the world-class attributes, but needs to prove his consistency over a longer period of time, Lovren is a good player, but probably not world-class and Gomez is only potential at this point – incredible potential to be sure.

 

[moron]

To be honest, I think we only have 1 indisputably world-class CB. Not trying to open the "what is world class" can of warms again, but I think Matip has all the world-class attributes, but needs to prove his consistency over a longer period of time, Lovren is probably not world-class and Gomez is only potential at this point – incredible potential to be sure.

As you say 'world class' is subjective. But lets be honest - VVD is a fucking freak, at this moment in time you just cannot count him as being normal. But when Klopp was looking before he got VVD, he made a comment once about finding defenders and he said he could not find any better than what he already had at the time. I can completely agree on that. Lovren has been brilliant in quite a few games for us, he was brilliant for his country last summer, and in that tournament alone he proved he was one of the best defenders in the world. As for Joe Gomez - don't think I have ever seen him do anything wrong for club or country when he is playing as a CB, and on his England debut did you not witness how he just shut out Neymar ? - he is brilliant already and the only thing he can learn is by having game time with VVD to pick up how to lead from the back.

What really separates VVD from the rest is his leadership skills at the back - so the 'freakishness' of him is that he has the ability to lead at the back together with the physical attributes and skill of the very best 'lone warrior' type defenders (yes I just made that up). Right now we have VVD, and 3 world class non-leader type defenders.

Just want to say thanks for posting that on Matip - this season he has really proved himself and to us the fans how good he really is and justifies why Klopp was so eager to get him. I think on this forum, there are too many people that think we can get rid of any of of our defenders and get someone better, when the reality is that there are not that many defenders better than what we have.

 

[KopRed]

Gomez has to earn his position, and Matip is definitely going to make it very hard for him on his form this season. Great post.

It's Matip for me that's for sure. Gomez has a better upside sure, but he is still prone to using his speed in recovery to bail him out of trouble. He gets done much too often for my liking and is not that comfortable on the high balls. Both will come with more experience.

But Matip, we know he can't move as fast, and even with that, hardly putting a foot wrong in our last 15-20 games, very tough games mind you, gives him the right to partner Virgil next season.

 

[rurikbird]

Here's an even better compilation; really showcasing the way Matip contributes to our attacking game. I can't recall another CB who would be so comfortable at this and did it so frequently. Agger has been praised for being good on the ball and helping the build-up, but Matip has truly taken it to another level (sorry, @Kay Age El)

 

[Modo]

Here's an even better compilation; really showcasing the way Matip contributes to our attacking game. I can't recall another CB who would be so comfortable at this and did it so frequently. Agger has been praised for being good on the ball and helping the build-up, but Matip has truly taken it to another level (sorry, @Kay Age El)

It's because he used to play as a DM for Schalke is some games.
Where are the 50p head people btw?

 

[jimmy]

Here's an even better compilation; really showcasing the way Matip contributes to our attacking game. I can't recall another CB who would be so comfortable at this and did it so frequently. Agger has been praised for being good on the ball and helping the build-up, but Matip has truly taken it to another level (sorry, @Kay Age El)

That's a very impressive!
Some of his runs and passes remind me of a certain Alan Hansen (and I can't think of a bigger compliment).

Having say that, Matip does have his "moments" in which he makes me worry for the health of my heart...

 

[Mors]

Virgil seems to have the ability to make whoever is playing next to him look good. When it was Matip and Lovren, I wasn't filled with confidence in him. I think Gomez is our 2nd best defender but is made of glass.

 

[MaBigTip]

That's a very impressive!
Some of his runs and passes remind me of a certain Alan Hansen (and I can't think of a bigger compliment).

Having say that, Matip does have his "moments" in which he makes me worry for the health of my heart...

For the run in, those seemed to fade away a bit. He's got a lot about him. If he can stay fit and build his confidence he may be hard to dislodge.

 

[Judge Jules]

Glad to see this thread. For me it's a tie between Matip and Fabinho for the title of our most improved player. Virgil and Alisson have given the whole defensive set-up a new confidence, but the way Matip's picked up on that and run with it has been magnificent. I thought he was as good as Virgil himself in the CL final and snuffed Kane out good and proper. Long may it continue.

 

[LeTallecWiz]

Here's an even better compilation; really showcasing the way Matip contributes to our attacking game. I can't recall another CB who would be so comfortable at this and did it so frequently. Agger has been praised for being good on the ball and helping the build-up, but Matip has truly taken it to another level (sorry, @Kay Age El)

That tackle on Messi at Anfield was so key - miss that, game over.

 

[hmmmmm1]

Anyone will look with vvd next to them and alison behind them. That said he has played well but so did gomez

 

[Insignificance]

It's because he used to play as a DM for Schalke is some games.
Where are the 50p head people btw?

Was that an insult? I thought it was just an observation.

 

[Modo]

Was that an insult? I thought it was just an observation.

It was usually followed by, "he can't head the ball". So yeah I'd classify it as an insult.

 

[Judge Jules]

Was that an insult? I thought it was just an observation.

It was, and it was justified (though it doesn't matter any more now that Virgil's back there taking care of business) but TBF there was sometimes a certain sense that one or two posters enjoyed trotting it out.

 

[Esoteric]

I'm sure scoring goals with his head, was one of Joel Matip's more impressive attributes at FC Schalke and I assumed he was generally good in the air. He seemed to make more than a few, erratic defensive headers when he first joined us though - you could never quite tell where the ball would go, hence the 50p head nickname. I hope it's more affectionate than insulting though now.

 

[darkstarexodus]

I've never been sold on him but massive credit for how he came on the back half of last season. The job is his to lose at this point. Hope he can keep on this form as he's been great.

 

[ILD]

It was usually followed by, "he can't head the ball". So yeah I'd classify it as an insult.

Matip often looks weak and even clumsy at times for us. I personally didn't have much confidence in him and especially in a partnership with Lovren.

Matip was very very good in the last quarter of the season. Fair play to him. It's a coin toss between himself and Gomez right now to start alongside Virgil.

 

[Insignificance]

Matip often looks weak and even clumsy at times for us. I personally didn't have much confidence in him and especially in a partnership with Lovren.

Matip was very very good in the last quarter of the season. Fair play to him. It's a coin toss between himself and Gomez right now to start alongside Virgil.

Well Said. But based on that last quarter Gomez have a hell of a job to do this summer to be within a coin toss

 

[Squiggles]

Matip often looks weak and even clumsy at times for us. I personally didn't have much confidence in him and especially in a partnership with Lovren.

Matip was very very good in the last quarter of the season. Fair play to him. It's a coin toss between himself and Gomez right now to start alongside Virgil.

Matip does look like that when he returns from injury, but he often goes onto to look assured when he can keep himself on the pitch every week. Obviously there's loads of pre-season and training to get through, but it's up to Gomez to force his way back into the side. If Matip continues this form up then Gomez may well find himself as FB cover to get minutes.

 

[rurikbird]

An even better one – very recent, so includes highlights of the CL final.



If somebody replaced Matip's body and face with De Ligt on all of these, imagine what the hype (and price) would be. Incredible piece of business by Klopp and the club to pick him up for free.

 

[Ukrainian by marriage]

Thanks Rurikbird. He is immense, isn't he ?

 

[LeTallecWiz]

Thanks Rurikbird. He is immense, isn't he ?

too long without an avatar .... so you'll be our newest ukrainian scouser

 

[Ukrainian by marriage]

Hmmmmm.

I shall look for a nice pic of one of my 60s idols, I think. 🙂

 

[Ukrainian by marriage]

or all of them ! 🙂