28 Feb 2019 11:24:15
Ed’s can u give a verdict on lovern will he be shifted on come the summer? The way Matip has been playing (although lovern injured) do u see him ahead in the pecking order now?

{Ed001's Note - depends on what Lovren wants to do, but I think it is more likely that other areas of the team are worked on.

Matip has not done anything to impress, constantly ballwatching and his best performance yesterday was as more to do with the protection he was given by Fabinho than anything he did. There is no way he could be considered to be anything other than our worst centre back.}


1.) 28 Feb 2019
28 Feb 2019 12:18:08
Matip deserves some respect not people constantly putting him down. As we know defences win titles and it is very possible come May he will have played more games than Lovren or Gomez. He has played with the full back changing every week. He played with Fabs v BM and still kept a clean sheet.

Matip of course is not top level and he is 4th choice but he is trying his best every game. The team are keeping clean sheet after clean sheet and he is the constant cb. How many goals conceded have been Matip's fault? virtually none.


2.) 28 Feb 2019
28 Feb 2019 12:24:17
Both Matip and Lovren need to be shipped. Never understood the fuss about Lovren. Other than giving interviews of “ how good he is “ what exactly does he offer? A 29 year old International being replaced by a 19 year old kid sums up the life of Lovren. He makes two mistakes every game. One he gets away with it and the other he picks a card! At the age of 30 he still has issues on concentration!


3.) 28 Feb 2019
28 Feb 2019 12:28:46
Did you miss the two near own goals Matip scored in recent weeks? He completely panics when the balls in the box.


4.) 28 Feb 2019
28 Feb 2019 12:50:21
Two different types of defender. Lovren relishes the physical battle and commands aerially much better but Matip is better on the ball. Both can be absolutely clueless positionally at times and are both prone to a game changing error.


5.) 28 Feb 2019
28 Feb 2019 13:01:00
Samuel A

Correction, Lukaku schooled and bullied Lovren last time at OT. Lovren like Matip hides away from physical battle.


6.) 28 Feb 2019
28 Feb 2019 13:25:54
Also the 2 dead cert goals matip cleared. He has been woeful for us jn the past after a promising start. But, he has done pretty well lately. Everyone says how klopp improves players, he has improved matip. He is still our worst cb but we have some top cbs in our squad.


7.) 28 Feb 2019
28 Feb 2019 15:12:01
Matip is a poor defender, our clean sheets aren't reflective of his performances, he's been making errors every game. Easily could have 2 own goals in 2 games where he's swiped at the ball with his wrong foot. People would have been calling for his head if he wasn't so fortunate that one hit allison and the other got flagged.


8.) 28 Feb 2019
28 Feb 2019 15:53:40
You are missing the point Har. No one thinks he is a good defender but he is playing to his level of 4th choice centre back. Shall we dop him? He has 4 clean sheets in 5 games, how can that all be luck.

Who should play in the Derby?

All our players in games make mistakes, v Utd hardly anyone did anything well. When he makes a mistake that costs a goal you can crucify him them. All this if's, but's, nearly is not warranted unless applied to all players.


9.) 28 Feb 2019
28 Feb 2019 16:13:18
Fair enough, I know he's 4th choice and our only option so he's obviously not going to be dropped. But I can make my own judgement on a player by watching him defend different scenarios and he makes plenty of errors each game. The clean sheets have been great but has he contributed greatly to them? no, Andre Gray could have had 2 yesterday, allison saved our clean sheet. Matip ball watching.

United he scored a stinker of an own goal, he didn't know the flag was up, bayern very easily another. I understand you're saying no ifs and buts but the fact is he has been making these errors. They have happened. I don't like being too critical and I know he's 4th choice but I disagree with some claiming he deserves credit, he hasn't been playing well.


10.) 28 Feb 2019
28 Feb 2019 16:27:35
I wouldn't say many clubs have a 'back-up' of his standard - if we can call him that given how long he has had to start for with injuries!

If we keep keeping clean sheets, I have no complaints.


11.) 28 Feb 2019
28 Feb 2019 18:25:46
I agree MrSox as long as they keep the ball out of the net. Some of the defenders are better than others but it's a back 4 after all. Matip has done more good than bad.

Har - your right about Allison 2 top saves.


12.) 28 Feb 2019
28 Feb 2019 18:46:08
Maybe I'm being a bit harsh, we're not conceading but I'm just always in fear when he's put under pressure. He looks a better player beside VVD no doubt.


13.) 28 Feb 2019
28 Feb 2019 18:27:09
JAN, that is just an outlier. Did you miss all the other 4 times Lovren put Lukaku in his poicket? Didn't think so. Harry Kane bullied him at Wembley last season. Well, Lovs shut him down at Anfield and on the biggest stage of all, the WC. Los also shut down CR7 in the CL final. If you have to go back a year to slate Lovren then really on one or two incidents then, you have no argument cos I can go back and bring up lots of games were he was completely boss.

Matip is our poorest CB. Lovs in terms of raw ability and mental toughness, is no slouch and is a very good defender and CB. Aggressive, physical and is brilliant on the ball with more than decent pace. Ask Cr&. The prob is what is between his ears. Matip is poor physically, mentally and ability wise and both should not be compared cos it's not even close, IMO. If I had to pick who should leave, it would be Matip all day long. My only other issue with Lovs is he is super injury-prone and can't be relied upon to stay fit.


14.) 01 Mar 2019
01 Mar 2019 04:11:13
given the performance of our defense I'd be addressing other areas of the squad first.