OPINION
With Joe Gomez out for six weeks and Dejan Lovren unavailable after suffering yet another of his mysterious, niggling injuries, Joel Matip was selected to partner Virgil van Dijk against Bournemouth for what was the second time in four days after being sidelined for the opening months of the season. The giant Cameroonian pales in comparison to master and commander of the backline, Van Dijk, but then so would virtually every centre-back in world football. Matip had a solid first half at the Vitality Stadium as Liverpool went into the break with a 1-0 advantage, courtesy of a Mohamed Salah goal. Liverpool played within themselves but were mostly comfortable. However many fans were critical of Matip, highlighting his occasional ungainliness with the ball at his feet and claiming he did not entirely in control. That is a bit harsh. Matip actually had a decent opening period, and helped his side keep a clean sheet and look in control against a fine side.
This Is Futbol has rounded up some of the best tweets below:
Matip is so so bad… Can't play out, just clips it every time out of panic!!
— Joel McCormick (@Joel_McCormick) December 8, 2018
https://twitter.com/dom_campbell/status/1071389704988299264
https://twitter.com/AcerbicRed/status/1071389790275166208
Matip is painful to watch
— Reece Marsden (@RMarsden94) December 8, 2018
https://twitter.com/stxvo/status/1071385531823607809
Matip sleeping ffs!! #LFC
— Gurtej Drumline (@GurtejM) December 8, 2018
https://twitter.com/KyleMcGowan_/status/1071387226460823552
Joel Matip hurts my eyes
— Rob (@Smarty3385) December 8, 2018
https://twitter.com/lhftbl/status/1071388876848185345
https://twitter.com/liam_hudson98/status/1071382996127809536
Joel Matip is 28 years old and still runs around like he grew 8” over the summer and hasn’t quite figured out how his limbs work.
— Endo & the 19x English Champions ? (@AustinFoster509) December 8, 2018