Joel Matip

Lovren: Liverpool Learning From Klopp

On Friday mornings, as Latest News sips an Americano and contemplates its navel, the events of the week tend to spill out from the dark recesses of a troubled mind. There was that idiot on the roundabout with a death wish, the older lady who aggressively elbowed her way past schoolchildren in a coffee queue and...

Ojo Reckons Young Reds Will Be Fine

Jürgen Klopp has just been telling the assembled hacks that Philippe Coutinho is likely to have some minutes against Southampton and that Joel Matip is close to a return and, to be entirely honest, the world seems like a better place. I'm thinking especially of those poor damaged souls I referred to in this morning's...

Tactical Analysis – Rotations and Movement pull Stoke apart

The last five league matches provide something of a snapshot of the season so far for Liverpool. There has been the good, 4-1 against Stoke 1-0 against Everton and 3-0 against Middlesbrough, the bad, a draw against West Ham and the downright ugly as Bournemouth came out with a 4-3 win. Inconsistent form interspersed with...

Liverpool’s Team of 2016

It's cliche I know but a year in football is a long time. If you compared December 2015 and December 2016 they're almost unrecognisable. After the Boxing Day fixtures in 2015 Liverpool were in 8th position with 27 points and a -1 goal difference. Watford and Crystal Palace where both ahead of the Reds and Everton...

Celebrating the Quiet People: Wijnaldum & Klavan

The recent victories against Middlesbrough and Everton have thrust the usual names into the spotlight. Adam Lallana took the headlines in the North East and, a few days later, fans of both colours were all about Sadio Mane, either with a deep, nourishing love in their hearts or with a ‘jammy redshite bastard’ tone. I'd...

Nathaniel Clyne, Upgrades and Evolving

How good is it being a Liverpool fan right now? Klopp's men sit second in the league after the dramatic late win in the derby. We're the top scorers in the Premier League with 41 goals but what's even more impressive is how we have continued to impress despite some noticeable absentees. Daniel Sturridge, Joel Matip, Emre...

Why Liverpool looking at Yunus Malli makes sense

Ever since Jurgen Klopp was appointed as manager, Liverpool have been tentatively linked to about 90% of the players plying their trade in the Bundesliga. No doubt he arrived at Anfield with a list of players he wanted the recruitment team to cast an eye over. So far the Reds have signed Joel Matip, Loris Karius...

Middlesbrough vs Liverpool Preview – Key Battles

After getting only one point in the last two games, despite scoring five goals in those games, Liverpool head to the North-East to face Middlesbrough at the Riverside. The Reds last visit to Boro's home was a forgettable one in February 2009, as they lost 2-0 in a loss that cost them ground in the...

Liverpool fan reaction versus player reaction

Whilst I understand fans being upset at the nature of Liverpool's capitulation to Bournemouth last weekend (trust me, I was pissed off too), I feel the level of fume by some was somewhat disproportionate. Some people were losing their minds. Yes, it was bad, hence my use of the word capitulation and yes, fans...

The Myth Surrounding Loris Karius’ Distribution

In the victory over Sunderland there was a moment in the match which saw Liverpool 'keeper Loris Karius kick the ball out of play for a corner as he was trying to play the ball out to Joel Matip. I'm almost certain it's a pass we've all made in our life. We've gone to play a...