Joel Matip - Liverpool defender on keeping his cool, why he settled so quickly and his debt to Reds fans
Exclusive interview with in-form Reds defender
Joel Matip is in the thick of it. Organised chaos unfolds around him as he lends a hand to Liverpool FC Foundation staff during a PE session in a packed gym with 30 enthusiastic school kids.
The Reds centre-back remains unflappable, taking part in all the driils, posing for photos and answering an array of questions from excited young Kopites.
Matip is as ice-cool off the field as he is on it. Nothing fazes the 6ft 5ins defender who has proved such a massive hit at Anfield since his arrival from Schalke on a free transfer last summer.
“I am a calm person,” Matip told the ECHO.
“I am not someone who is always shouting on the field. I try to keep my composure.
“I can’t do it always. Sometimes I can get a bit angry, especially if a decision I want doesn’t go my way!
“But I do try to stay calm on the field. It helps you to make the right decisions.”
Joel Matip at St Michael and All Angels Catholic Primary in Kirkby
Matip has made plenty of them since he ended his 16-year association with boyhood club Schalke and headed for Merseyside to continue his education under Jurgen Klopp.
The 25-year-old has endeared himself to supporters with a succession of composed performances - the latest in Saturday’s stalemate with Southampton.
Many new arrivals need time to adjust to the demands of English football but Matip slotted straight in and has flourished alongside Dejan Lovren.
“The beginning for me wasn’t the best,” he said.
“I had the problem with my foot in pre-season but since then it’s gone well. I have played a lot of games and I hope it will continue like this.
Jurgen Klopp with Joel Matip at the end the Premier League match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on September 16, 2016 (Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
“It’s an honour and a joy to play for Liverpool. It’s a great club. I’ve been able to help the team get some good results and I am really happy to be here.
“The biggest difference compared to the Bundesliga is that there are so many teams playing for the title. There is so much quality.
“Why did I settle so quickly? My team-mates helped me from the first day I was here. That support meant I could play my game.
“There are a lot of nice guys in the squad. We laugh a lot and hopefully we will achieve a lot.
“I’m also playing for a great coach who improves every player he works with. I still think I can improve and I know I will get better.”
I've never heard of Alan Hansen...sorry
Ask Matip who is the toughest attacker he’s come up against since joining Liverpool and he thinks long and hard. Twenty seconds pass as he considers the merits of the likes of Harry Kane, Jamie Vardy, Deigo Costa and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
“There are a lot of tough players in this league,” he said.
“He didn’t play well against us, but Costa is a great player.”
Joel Matip of Liverpool competes with Diego Costa of Chelsea during the Premier League match at Stamford Bridge on September 16, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Matip is dismissive of the idea that he’s found life in the Premier League gloriously straightforward though.
“No, no, no, it’s not easy,” he said.
“I’m grateful that I’ve always had the help of my team-mates.
“I always have Dejan and Clyney (Nathaniel Clyne) either side of me. They give me confidence. I can step out knowing they are behind me.”
Dominant in the air and so composed with the ball at his feet, Matip’s style has already drawn comparisons with legendary Reds centre-back Alan Hansen.
The Bochum-born defender wasn’t even born when Hansen captained Liverpool to their last title triumph in 1989/90.
Joel Matip answering questions from the children at St Michael and All Angels Catholic Primary in Kirkby
Matip would certainly earn the same kind of iconic status as the Scot if he could help Klopp’s men end that 27-year drought.
“I’m sorry, I have to say I haven’t heard of him,” Matip said.
“But I know this club has won many trophies in the past and has had many great defenders.
“It’s an honour the fans have welcomed me so much and that they appreciate my game play. Knowing I have the supporters behind me is a pleasure.
“But I still have to improve. I hope I can continue to make the supporters proud.
“We are trying to make some history but we have to work really hard for this. It’s a long season, we will give our best and then we will see what we can achieve.”
Schalke's Cameroonian defender Joel Matip (C) and his teammates celebrate after 1-0 during the German first division Bundesliga football match FC Schalke 04 v Eintracht Frankfurt in Gelsenkirchen, on September 23, 2015.
Matip was inspired to reach the top by his older brother Marvin, who is now captain of Bundesliga outfit FC Ingolstadt 04. It was a big decision to cut his ties with Schalke but he hasn’t looked back since joining Liverpool.
“When I was really young my heroes were Zinedine Zidane and Patrick Vieira. That’s who I wanted to be in the playground,” he said.
“But when I was really small my idol was my brother. He’s six years older than me.
“Little brothers always want to do what their big brother does so since I was five or six I wanted to be a professional player.
“For my whole life I was a Schalke fan. I grew up there and played for the club for 16 years. I worked hard and I had some luck along the way.
“My heart was at Schalke but now my ambitions are with Liverpool. I feel the soul of this club.
“This is a great club famous across the world for its supporters. Everyone respects Liverpool like no other club.”
Joel Matip with the pupils at St Michael and All Angels Catholic Primary in Kirkby
The Cameroon international visited St Michael and All Angels Catholic Primary School in Kirkby as part of the Premier League Primary Stars Programme.
It uses the appeal of the Premier League and Liverpool Football Club to connect with youngsters and create healthier and more positive futures for them.
The programme, which is delivered by Liverpool FC Foundation community coaches in 21 different schools, focuses on improving their fitness and teaching them relevant life skills.
“It was great to see the kids have fun,” he said.
Joel Matip joining the pupils in PE at St Michael and All Angels Catholic Primary in Kirkby
“It’s important that they understand the importance of getting a good education as well as keeping fit and active.”
They all listened intently as Matip told them: “Always work hard and go to your limit. It’s the only way you will improve and get better.
“When you are improving at something, it makes it more fun.
“If you all work together you can achieve something as a class. You need to show a good attitude, work for each other and show respect to your classmates.”
Joel Matip is a man who practices what he preaches.
Exclusive interview with in-form Reds defender
Joel Matip is in the thick of it. Organised chaos unfolds around him as he lends a hand to Liverpool FC Foundation staff during a PE session in a packed gym with 30 enthusiastic school kids.
The Reds centre-back remains unflappable, taking part in all the driils, posing for photos and answering an array of questions from excited young Kopites.
Matip is as ice-cool off the field as he is on it. Nothing fazes the 6ft 5ins defender who has proved such a massive hit at Anfield since his arrival from Schalke on a free transfer last summer.
“I am a calm person,” Matip told the ECHO.
“I am not someone who is always shouting on the field. I try to keep my composure.
“I can’t do it always. Sometimes I can get a bit angry, especially if a decision I want doesn’t go my way!
“But I do try to stay calm on the field. It helps you to make the right decisions.”
Joel Matip at St Michael and All Angels Catholic Primary in Kirkby
Matip has made plenty of them since he ended his 16-year association with boyhood club Schalke and headed for Merseyside to continue his education under Jurgen Klopp.
The 25-year-old has endeared himself to supporters with a succession of composed performances - the latest in Saturday’s stalemate with Southampton.
Many new arrivals need time to adjust to the demands of English football but Matip slotted straight in and has flourished alongside Dejan Lovren.
“The beginning for me wasn’t the best,” he said.
“I had the problem with my foot in pre-season but since then it’s gone well. I have played a lot of games and I hope it will continue like this.
Jurgen Klopp with Joel Matip at the end the Premier League match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on September 16, 2016 (Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
“It’s an honour and a joy to play for Liverpool. It’s a great club. I’ve been able to help the team get some good results and I am really happy to be here.
“The biggest difference compared to the Bundesliga is that there are so many teams playing for the title. There is so much quality.
“Why did I settle so quickly? My team-mates helped me from the first day I was here. That support meant I could play my game.
“There are a lot of nice guys in the squad. We laugh a lot and hopefully we will achieve a lot.
“I’m also playing for a great coach who improves every player he works with. I still think I can improve and I know I will get better.”
I've never heard of Alan Hansen...sorry
Ask Matip who is the toughest attacker he’s come up against since joining Liverpool and he thinks long and hard. Twenty seconds pass as he considers the merits of the likes of Harry Kane, Jamie Vardy, Deigo Costa and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
“There are a lot of tough players in this league,” he said.
“He didn’t play well against us, but Costa is a great player.”
Joel Matip of Liverpool competes with Diego Costa of Chelsea during the Premier League match at Stamford Bridge on September 16, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Matip is dismissive of the idea that he’s found life in the Premier League gloriously straightforward though.
“No, no, no, it’s not easy,” he said.
“I’m grateful that I’ve always had the help of my team-mates.
“I always have Dejan and Clyney (Nathaniel Clyne) either side of me. They give me confidence. I can step out knowing they are behind me.”
Dominant in the air and so composed with the ball at his feet, Matip’s style has already drawn comparisons with legendary Reds centre-back Alan Hansen.
The Bochum-born defender wasn’t even born when Hansen captained Liverpool to their last title triumph in 1989/90.
Joel Matip answering questions from the children at St Michael and All Angels Catholic Primary in Kirkby
Matip would certainly earn the same kind of iconic status as the Scot if he could help Klopp’s men end that 27-year drought.
“I’m sorry, I have to say I haven’t heard of him,” Matip said.
“But I know this club has won many trophies in the past and has had many great defenders.
“It’s an honour the fans have welcomed me so much and that they appreciate my game play. Knowing I have the supporters behind me is a pleasure.
“But I still have to improve. I hope I can continue to make the supporters proud.
“We are trying to make some history but we have to work really hard for this. It’s a long season, we will give our best and then we will see what we can achieve.”
Schalke's Cameroonian defender Joel Matip (C) and his teammates celebrate after 1-0 during the German first division Bundesliga football match FC Schalke 04 v Eintracht Frankfurt in Gelsenkirchen, on September 23, 2015.
Matip was inspired to reach the top by his older brother Marvin, who is now captain of Bundesliga outfit FC Ingolstadt 04. It was a big decision to cut his ties with Schalke but he hasn’t looked back since joining Liverpool.
“When I was really young my heroes were Zinedine Zidane and Patrick Vieira. That’s who I wanted to be in the playground,” he said.
“But when I was really small my idol was my brother. He’s six years older than me.
“Little brothers always want to do what their big brother does so since I was five or six I wanted to be a professional player.
“For my whole life I was a Schalke fan. I grew up there and played for the club for 16 years. I worked hard and I had some luck along the way.
“My heart was at Schalke but now my ambitions are with Liverpool. I feel the soul of this club.
“This is a great club famous across the world for its supporters. Everyone respects Liverpool like no other club.”
Joel Matip with the pupils at St Michael and All Angels Catholic Primary in Kirkby
The Cameroon international visited St Michael and All Angels Catholic Primary School in Kirkby as part of the Premier League Primary Stars Programme.
It uses the appeal of the Premier League and Liverpool Football Club to connect with youngsters and create healthier and more positive futures for them.
The programme, which is delivered by Liverpool FC Foundation community coaches in 21 different schools, focuses on improving their fitness and teaching them relevant life skills.
“It was great to see the kids have fun,” he said.
Joel Matip joining the pupils in PE at St Michael and All Angels Catholic Primary in Kirkby
“It’s important that they understand the importance of getting a good education as well as keeping fit and active.”
They all listened intently as Matip told them: “Always work hard and go to your limit. It’s the only way you will improve and get better.
“When you are improving at something, it makes it more fun.
“If you all work together you can achieve something as a class. You need to show a good attitude, work for each other and show respect to your classmates.”
Joel Matip is a man who practices what he preaches.
