Who is our 2nd best CB?

[rurikbird]

All stats calculated since Van Dijk debut on 1/5/2018:

Lovren 27 starts*, 28 goals conceded (1.04 goals/game), 19 games missed through injury, 2 goals scored
Matip 23 starts*, 20 goals conceded (0.87 goals/game), 17 games missed through injury, 2 goals scored
Gomez 12 starts*, 7 goals conceded (0.58 goals/game), 25 games missed through injury, 0 goals scored
_____
*Only counting starts at CB (relevant for Gomez) and if played more than 60 minutes.

I also looked at in-game stats, don't want to bore you with this, but just to highlight the differences between the players, Lovren has lower passing % than the others, but wins significantly more aerial duels (Gomez is the lowest in that department), and makes more clearances, he also allows more players to dribble past him (BTW Van Dijk's dribbled past # for the season is still 0!). Matip has the most tackles and interceptions per game. Gomez fouls more often than the other 2, but also produces an impressive 0.5 key passes per game.

Overall, I would say other than the ungodly number of games missed through injury, we seem to be OK in the CB department; all 3 look good in partnership with Van Dijk and they all offer something different, so if everyone is healthy Klopp could in theory pick and choose the qualities for a specific opponent – Gomez's speed and proactive passing, Matip's long reach or Lovren's combative presence. I'm not sure Gomez's lower goals/game ratio is very meaningful since it's a small sample and pretty much limited to one period of the season when for variety of reasons we rarely conceded, while Lovren's might be inflated due to facing the strongest opponents in last year's CL run.

I'm probably not going to do a poll on this – just share your thoughts below. Should all 3 stay here next season? Do we need another CB in the summer?

 

[Hansern]

Seeing as Lovren's longest injury free run of consecutive games is 7 or something, I think we should look at the option of moving him on and signing another CB. High wages, injuries and probably the CB least suited to our style of play.

Van Dijk, Gomez, Matip and a 4th CB going forward. Lovren out.

 

[mark1975]

Gomez really, just because I think he perfectly compliments VVD whereas Matip is a little less mobile/quick when on the retreat, he's no slouch, but he occasionally struggles. Gomez is forever injured though.

 

[gkmacca]

Next season we should have Nathan phillips back fit and eager to impress, as well as the similarly promising Conor Masterson. Maybe one might go on loan, but it means we should have decent cover. If we bring in another I think it'll be because either Matip leaves to get more games or Lovren goes because of his fitness issues.

Gomez is surely clearly the best alongside Virgil.

 

[rurikbird]

Next season we should have Nathan phillips back fit and eager to impress, as well as the similarly promising Conor Masterson. Maybe one might go on loan, but it means we should have decent cover. If we bring in another I think it'll be because either Matip leaves to get more games or Lovren goes because of his fitness issues.

Gomez is surely clearly the best alongside Virgil.

I was impressed by Phillips in pre-season; but have never seen Masterson play – how does he compare?

Let's not forget Hoever too.

 

[Oncy]

Fabinho

 

[gkmacca]

I was impressed by Phillips in pre-season; but have never seen Masterson play – how does he compare?

Let's not forget Hoever too.

Masterson is a bit more aggressive, but otherwise they're pretty similar. He can bring the ball out of defence, he's an excellent range of passes in him, and he's very calm and cool-headed. We've got a good pair of young CBs there who are just about ready now for senior play. And as you say, Hoever is also developing fast.

 

[Modo]

I'd say Gomez. Him and VD have skills that suit each other a lot better than both Matip and Lovren.
So for me it's:
Gomes
Matip
Lovren

But, I'd stick with Matip until the end of the season.

 

[Grjt2]

Gomez is fantastic, but surely if we end the season half-decently we'll be all over Alderweireld like a rash

 

[Markeh]

Seeing as Lovren's longest injury free run of consecutive games is 7 or something, I think we should look at the option of moving him on and signing another CB. High wages, injuries and probably the CB least suited to our style of play.

Van Dijk, Gomez, Matip and a 4th CB going forward. Lovren out.

Totally agree. He's nearly 30, center halves do usually continue well into their 30's and sometimes players with injuries seem to stabilise late in their career, but I don't see any of this happening with him.

The only problem is that Klopp might have more pressing matters than his 4th choice center back to address in the summer

 

[hmmmmm1]

Gomez was sensational at CB. However his injury record is poor / unfortunate and we should not be relying on. Lovren and matip are so so.

I hope we buy a quality cb in the summer in the Koubaily / de light / Upamecano mould

 

[Judge Jules]

Don't particularly rate Koulibaly. Not saying he's a poor player but I don't see him as LFC standard overall.

From what I've seen of De Ligt on the other hand, I would love us to sign him.

 

[FoxForceFive]

Don't particularly rate Koulibaly. Not saying he's a poor player but I don't see him as LFC standard overall.

From what I've seen of De Ligt on the other hand, I would love us to sign him.

If we sign him & don't come up with a song using afternoon delight I will be extremely disappointed.

 

[Mors]

VVD>>>>>Gomez>>>Fabinho>>Lovren>Matip

Need to probably get a 1st choice CB partner for Virgil in the summer though, as much as I like Gomez, he can't stay fit. He's seriously done his knee, achilles and ankle over the last 3 years.

 

[the count]

If we sign him & don't come up with a song using afternoon delight I will be extremely disappointed.

Not "De Ligt's on fire" ?

 

[6TimesaRed]

Fabinho

 

[mark1975]

It's a waste of Fabinho totally, as brilliant all rounder he is.

 

[Silver Sean]

Gomez. He had a couple of games where he even outshone VVD.

 

[FoxForceFive]

Gomez. He had a couple of games where he even outshone VVD.

This.

It's remarkable how few people appreciate what an achievement it is to be as good as he is at such a young age, I can't think of any centre backs playing at this level regularly at his age (obviously there will have been some, but none spring to mind), never mind playing as well as he does.

 

[JurgenKlopp]

Has to be Gomez but he's injured more than actually free to play. If he starts to have anymore injured after this and is out for periods of times, we have to start looking at options again. I'd be all over De Ligt.

Lovern is better when with VVD but he's prone to brain fart in each game he plays, it'll cost us at some point. Again he never has a run of games as he's injured, just like matip. This past few weeks is probably matip's longest run in the side free of injury.

 

[RedStar]

On ability its Gomez but his injury problems are a worry. I think Lovren will move on this summer, if Gomez was available for 30 league games a season then it would be a perfect time to bring through a younger player but unfortunately thats just not the case, unless we have a genuine stand out talent at CB waiting to burst through. I expect we will be back in the market for a defender, Alderweireld would be ideal for us.

 

[dmishra]

All three are injury prone, which is a worry. We should think of getting a new CB in.

 

[MomoWASright]

I don’t get this Gomez is injury prone statement. Getting launched into the advertising boards away at Burnley isn’t the same as his hammys going twice a season.

People who get constant muscular problems are injury prone. Breaks and ligament damages are bad fortune.

 

[tombrown]

I don’t get this Gomez is injury prone statement. Getting launched into the advertising boards away at Burnley isn’t the same as his hammys going twice a season.

People who get constant muscular problems are injury prone. Breaks and ligament damages are bad fortune.

It could be argued that taking twice as long to recover than was expected may be an element of "injury prone"

 

[Brizzle]

I don’t get this Gomez is injury prone statement. Getting launched into the advertising boards away at Burnley isn’t the same as his hammys going twice a season.

People who get constant muscular problems are injury prone. Breaks and ligament damages are bad fortune.

Agreed - i was making this point at the time. Someone breaking your leg doesn't make you injury prone.

 

[RedStar]

I don’t get this Gomez is injury prone statement. Getting launched into the advertising boards away at Burnley isn’t the same as his hammys going twice a season.

People who get constant muscular problems are injury prone. Breaks and ligament damages are bad fortune.

That point would hold more weight if it was the only time hes had a prolonged absence through injury. Its not, hes been injured for significant parts of every season hes played for us. There is a clear pattern there, maybe he grows out of it maybe he doesnt, but suggesting hes not injury prone and just unlucky seems to contradict all available evidence. Same goes for Ox, his injury record is horrible.

 

[doctor_mac]

The Gomez/ Virge partnership was absolutely purring before the injury. They have a bit of everything, and that pace they both possess, but especially Gomez, means they can afford the odd error and rectify it. I must say though, I think Matip has, by and large, been excellent. There is something in the idea, of course, that anybody looks better beside Virgil, but I'm not convinced this is the only factor. Lovren is the one that always has me shitting it. He plays through ego, which leads him to do all sorts of things he shouldn't.