LFC Daytrippers host Gav Doyle has been discussing Joel Matip during a recent edition of the podcast in which the panel were discussing the weekend’s narrow victory over Sheffield United.
Matip started and played the entire 90 minutes in last weekend’s Merseyside derby at Everton but picked up another injury problem and as a result, the 29-year-old was unavailable for selection this weekend.
With Virgil van Dijk facing a ‘lengthy lay-off‘, Fabinho partnered Joe Gomez in the heart of Jurgen Klopp’s defence and it was the Brazilian’s foul that led to the penalty from which Chris Wilder’s side took the lead on 13 minutes (as per BBC Sport).
When discussing the club’s defensive options, Doyle made his feelings known regarding Matip’s latest absence. Here is what he had to say:
“If I’m Jurgen Klopp, I’m just sick of Matip now, sick of him. He plays the derby last season, he doesn’t play until the derby this season and then he can’t play. This is just getting stupid at this stage.”
TIF Thoughts on Gav Doyle’s comments regarding Joel Matip…
It’s clear that Doyle is frustrated by the fact that Matip, who is valued at £28.8 million (as per Transfermarkt), has struggled with fitness. In the last 11 months, the defender has played just 165 minutes of Premier League football (as per the Liverpool Echo).
Is the podcaster right to be frustrated by Joel Matip?
Yes
No
With Van Dijk’s injury, when it comes to centre-back cover, it could certainly be argued that the Reds are short taking into account the Cameroonian’s fitness issues and so perhaps Doyle’s frustration stems from the fact Liverpool may be forced to play a somewhat makeshift defender in Fabinho at the back more often than not.