30 Jan 2019 15:56:10
Hi eds,

Has Matip improved in your eyes or do LFC require a replacement?

Cheers,
AJF.

{Ed0333's Note - I think he’s improved enough for him to be kept on. When he first arrived he was very good but that lasted a handful of games and then his standard dropped considerably. I feel he’s stepped up his game a little this season the reasons for that are unbeknown to me. Maybe it’s because of the competition from Gomes and VVD, maybe it’s down to playing with better players or maybe he’s realized he can’t be laxadaisichal if he’s to have any future at the club. I for one think he can be a real good player and I hope he plays against the foxes because I’d rather have a fully fit Matip than a weak VVD.

1.) 30 Jan 2019
30 Jan 2019 19:57:08
It's the presence of vvd and Alisson. Plus the pressure of competition from Joe and dejan.

2.) 30 Jan 2019
30 Jan 2019 22:56:29
7 goals conceded at home all season.

4 of them have been in the last 2 games since Matip returned. He’s a poor player and he disrupts the defence.

3.) 30 Jan 2019
30 Jan 2019 23:29:20
Ron, I'm not one to overly bash players cos having a bad game here and there is part of life. Having said that, Matip was dreadful tonight. Good grief!

4.) 30 Jan 2019
30 Jan 2019 23:48:25
I think vvd coasts when he is with Matip, and plays well with Gomez and Lovren, who both work hard.

5.) 31 Jan 2019
30 Jan 2019 18:04:32
Ed0333,

Cheers for the detailed reply and deep insight. Much appreciated.

{Ed0333's Note - I take it all back, Matip was woeful tonite. How he gets abused like that Ill never know. He’s absolutely massive he should be bullying attackers the unit that as he is. I’m so upset with him.

6.) 31 Jan 2019
30 Jan 2019 18:06:37
Wow, can’t say I’ve seen the same as you Ed.

{Ed0333's Note - one steps forward and two steps back with Matip mate.

7.) 31 Jan 2019
30 Jan 2019 18:10:42
You mean instead of VVD then Ed it beside him mate?

{Ed0333's Note - Matip made a mug out of me tonight mate. I’m fuming.

8.) 31 Jan 2019
30 Jan 2019 22:35:00
Ed0333, I am getting to the point where I can no longer defend Matip after today's performance. He was dire from start to finish. The guy is so scared to put a challenge in and with his physique, does NOT impose himself on his opponents. he is weak in the challenge, lacks any form of aggressiveness and seems to NEVER be ready for a ball to be passed to him. All that was on show tonight. If I were to sell one of our CB's, it would be him cos at least we know Lovren can actually defend, take charge of situations, gets stuck in and imposes himself on strikers. Good grief!

{Ed0333's Note - I agree with everything you say I cannot advocate for him after that pathetic showing.

9.) 31 Jan 2019
31 Jan 2019 04:18:47
He does make runs at the oppose ition though which confuse the opponent. Didn't have his best game but he was not at fault for their goal.

10.) 31 Jan 2019
31 Jan 2019 09:05:39
Matip is a poor defender, championship at best. he is slow, weak and reads the game poorly. the sooner he's gone the better in my opinion.

11.) 31 Jan 2019
31 Jan 2019 09:48:56
Robbie I’m not so sure he was innocent for their goal.

If you watch the defence when Chillwell loops his header in Matip initially starts to back pedal as if to challenge for the ball. If he’d kept going he might have since a header, he would have challenged Maguire who may not have finished with such composure.

But he didn’t keep going, he froze and did what defenders should never do, he looked back behind him. He ALWAYS does this, he always let's the ball voice behind him and it’s something centre backs should never willingly do.

Having said that, VVD completely switches off and loses his man and there is no defending that either.

12.) 31 Jan 2019
31 Jan 2019 10:02:17
Some typos in that post 😄

* ‘put in’ a header not ‘since’

* ‘lets the ball bounce behind him’ not ‘let’s the ball voice behind him’

Sorry Eds 😘.

13.) 31 Jan 2019
31 Jan 2019 18:26:52
But Ron, it was actually hendo who had to pick up Harry.

The stats about Alisson and matip, goals conceded may be a little mis leading. We are missing a few defensive players.

14.) 31 Jan 2019
31 Jan 2019 06:59:50
Eds (if you have time) who is quicker, pace wise; lovren or matip?

If it's matip I think that may be why Joel got the nod. To deal with vardy's pace which he did quite well. Matip didn't have his best game but I don't think he was our worst player today. It was either shaq or surprisingly mo salah. Keita should have trusted his left peg and buried it. But he was fouled, not his fault.

I though our best player was mane, opinions?

{Ed0333's Note - I’m still fuming with Matip so he’s off limits for me mate. They were all below par and sloppy if that’s the type of performance a week in sunny Dubai produces I hope they go train in Carlisle next time. Fuc***g shambles that was last night. I’ve seen paisleys Liverpool teams dismantle teams in the snow so I’m not having the weather as an excuse. I’m sorry for the diatribe but this result has really affected me.