Topic: Joël Matip (Job Joël André Matip)

[redprodigal]

That was Sturridge, wasn't it?

Yes it was.
Hang your head in shame El Lobo 

[El Lobo]

Nah it was defo Matip

Everyone had cleared up the pitch

[lucas65]

The new Hansen more like.

Let's hope, he does have ability and calmness on the ball but early days. Great start though and a bargain too. What's not to like?

[cowtownred]

The new Hansen more like.

Good call.  He's made a seriously impressive start.

[JimmyGrunt]

Its very early, but he looks like he has everything.

[Dim Glas]

So far he's easily on par with John Stone as a ball playing defender. Apart from a sliding tackle in the penalty box, everything else he did last night was excellent.

I rather Joel's defensive qualities too!  Far calmer than Stones is so far in defence.

All the money spent on central defenders this summer, the like of Stones, Luiz, Bailly, Mustafi, I am very happy with Liverpool's decision to go with Matip, as he already looks so classy.

[emrolfc]

The new Hansen more like.

Agree, that's a good shout.

[clinical]

Him and milner free signings. Boss.

[stockdam]

Too early to really make a call but he has looked very impressive so far. Could go onto become a legend.

[Djimi Smicer34]

Think he's brilliant, liked what I saw of him when he was Schalke and he's settled in at Liverpool superbly.  Getting him on a free transfer looks an outstanding bit of business by the club.

He and Lovren look a very promising partnership.

[JackWard33]

Reading this thread thinking 'wonder what the posts would have been if he'd still done that on the goal but we'd lost 1-0'.... nothing to do with Matip ... just musing on the nature of forums

[TheSpionKopNC]

Had a great game yesterday imo....take away the slide for the Costa goal, and very few mistakes.  Should've stayed on his feet for that one...don't think Matic had that many clear options to cut back to.

[ThePeetmix]

I hope him and Lovren play on tuesday to be honest. We need the two to get games under their belt together and keep increasing their understanding.

[keyop]

One thing that stands out for me (in addition to his calmness) is how everything he does has purpose. When heading the ball, it's usually a cushioned header to a team mate, or an angled (and targeted) header to keep possession - he doesn't just go for height and distance to clear his lines. Similarly, when under pressure with the ball at his feet, he rarely (if ever) clears the ball up field to no-one in particular - it's always about keeping possession and keeping the ball away from danger.

So often we see defenders that clear the ball randomly only see it come straight back again and invite pressure, but Matip is one of those rare defensive players that is already thinking about where his team mates are when the ball comes to him, and seems to have an awareness of space and timing that is great to watch.

[Chalky Boots]

Can't lay the blame solely on him for the goal, think lallana misses tracking their player and fell? And then Henderson seemed to miss tracking their players around him and only looked at the ball.

But Matip overall was great.

I think Lallana tried to track Matic but couldn't get infront of him and so got brushed off the ball, although he should have hacked him down and taken the card. Henderson was probably the main culprit, not sure why he didn't track him given how alert he's been with that side of his game so far this season. Think Matip anticipated an early ball and then pulled out to avoid giving the penalty. Unfortunately one of those that hopefully we begin to crack down on by improving our game management first and foremost.

Love that he's not afraid to play first time passes even if it's on a volley just to keep the pressure up, don't think any of our other defenders can do that.

[Magz50]

Quite possibly the best deal of the summer. He's been brilliant so far.

[xbugawugax]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yYLHm1k4nM

for those who havent seen his highlight reel

Always seems to be a step ahead in the play. A thinking defender that.

[jooneyisdagod]

Nah it was defo Matip

Everyone had cleared up the pitch

It was Sturridge.

[88_RED]

Reading this thread thinking 'wonder what the posts would have been if he'd still done that on the goal but we'd lost 1-0'.... nothing to do with Matip ... just musing on the nature of forums

Unfortunately just as silly as your post.. 

[SteveZissou]

Matip and Mane are the game changers. Just a pity about the Afcon.

[rocco]

I think Lallana tried to track Matic but couldn't get infront of him and so got brushed off the ball, although he should have hacked him down and taken the card. Henderson was probably the main culprit, not sure why he didn't track him given how alert he's been with that side of his game so far this season. Think Matip anticipated an early ball and then pulled out to avoid giving the penalty. Unfortunately one of those that hopefully we begin to crack down on by improving our game management first and foremost.

Love that he's not afraid to play first time passes even if it's on a volley just to keep the pressure up, don't think any of our other defenders can do that.

Lallana was in front of Matic ? But went to win the ball of Matic to set us on the attack , than just hold his position and try and block Matic and it seemed to catch us out IMO

[Solomon Grundy]

Matip and Mane are the game changers. Just a pity about the Afcon.

 It doesn't look like Matip is going to the ACON.

[El Lobo]

It was Sturridge.

Sturridge did too

But Matip afterwards ran in front of him and did the same.

[Ken-Obi]

I apologise for making this comparison but the more I see of this guy the more he looked like Rio Ferdinand (the player) to me - not very huge but tall and strong, good passer of the ball.

[edge]

I apologise for making this comparison but the more I see of this guy the more he looked like Rio Ferdinand (the player) to me - not very huge but tall and strong, good passer of the ball.

Was thinking that myself, actually.

I'd even argue they look a bit alike.

[Durlmints]

Was thinking that myself, actually.

I'd even argue they look a bit alike.

Getting ready to merk Rooney in a couple of games time.

[Chalky Boots]

I apologise for making this comparison but the more I see of this guy the more he looked like Rio Ferdinand (the player) to me - not very huge but tall and strong, good passer of the ball.

They have the same leggy running style, it stands out - not in a sakho way - as it looks ungainly but kinda elegant at the same time. Like watching a Giraffe.

[IndianRed]

Might be our best summer signing this guy. Like someone fused Agger's ball playing skills with Hyypia's aerial ability and calmness under pressure. And to think of the sums that clubs are quoting for above-average CBs in the market today, its practically a crime that we got this guy for free.

[The Mule]

Might be our best summer signing this guy. Like someone fused Agger's ball playing skills with Hyypia's aerial ability and calmness under pressure. And to think of the sums that clubs are quoting for above-average CBs in the market today, its practically a crime that we got this guy for free.

This.
The guy is marvelous. So glad we got him.

[Tobelius]

Might be our best summer signing this guy. Like someone fused Agger's ball playing skills with Hyypia's aerial ability and calmness under pressure. And to think of the sums that clubs are quoting for above-average CBs in the market today, its practically a crime that we got this guy for free.

Funnily despite us scoring 5 Joel Matip managed to impress me the most tonight,so calm on the ball and that metronomic passing from the back was a sight to behold.

[Fiasco]

He's quality this lad. I think I've commented something similar after near enough every performance. The cliché would be that a game like today would find him out: a player from a different team coming up against a side that will be physical rather than try and play football. Nah. None of that. Him and Klavan dealt with Hernandez with ease and then obviously after the sending off any threat they had diminished.

He's class and calm on the ball, great in the air and he very rarely loses 50-50's. He didn't command a transfer fee. Let that sink in.

[NaivetyinBlack]

He has a certain arrogance about his defending. Even moreso than Daniel Agger. It's like he invites opposition attacker to come near him, then deftly turns away and passes the ball. Cool as fuck.

[justsean]

Too early to really make a call but he has looked very impressive so far. Could go onto become a legend.

It's not though mate. It's okay to judge players on other parts of their career before coming to the premier league. He was one of the best defenders in the Bundesliga. Easily a £25m player if he had a 4 year contract with Schalke. But we got him on a free.

[Djozer]

He has a certain arrogance about his defending. Even moreso than Daniel Agger. It's like he invites opposition attacker to come near him, then deftly turns away and passes the ball. Cool as fuck.

Too right. I remember reading somewhere that he has a mistake in him, and I can see one or two happening because of his incredible confidence, but if he mostly plays as well as he has so far this season then it's a tradeoff I'm more than willing to take. He's awesome, fast becoming one of my favourite players.

[Ken-Obi]

They have the same leggy running style, it stands out - not in a sakho way - as it looks ungainly but kinda elegant at the same time. Like watching a Giraffe.

I think that's what gave me the impression - on the TV from far away he looked to play very similarly to how Ferdinand used to do. In time he might even be trusted to bring the ball up from the back instead of quickly passing it to the next guy.

And there's that presence - he appears on screen and immediately there's a sense of 'big guy' at the back.

[Ste08]

We played a terrific game today. Pace, movement, energy, tempo when we have all that we are unstoppable.

Same again next week.

[newterp]

Check me - he cleared a ball for a corner today and was angry because he thought he should have made it a throw in!! I am sure I saw this.

[redprodigal]

Check me - he cleared a ball for a corner today and was angry because he thought he should have made it a throw in!! I am sure I saw this.

You're right.

[Redinho]

I love him.

[Number 7]

Just oozes class, composure and confidence. You kind of feel secure with him back there. Great passer of the ball too and is always looking for the right pass.