Joel Matip might have been a shock starter as Liverpool hosted West Ham, however Jurgen Klopp was rewarded with a “tremendous efficiency” at centre-back.
Klopp made eight modifications to his beginning lineup from LASK in midweek, with Virgil van Dijk, Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez the one gamers retained.
Nearly all of those that got here in have been anticipated, although the inclusion of Matip was much less sure as Ibrahima Konate made his return from damage.
Nonetheless, the 32-year-old was trusted to begin at Anfield, and got here away having produced a superb show towards Michail Antonio.
Matip stayed tight to the West Ham striker all through, not permitting him to show and exploit the house behind Liverpool’s excessive line – it was important, given the way in which Klopp units his aspect up.
The supervisor acknowledged that in his post-match press convention, explaining how his No. 32 largely helped the Reds keep away from “chaos.”
“Joel Matip [had] an excellent efficiency towards Antonio,” Klopp mentioned.
“It’s a key second within the recreation. They chip the ball there and I don’t know the way usually prior to now we suffered when he might management the ball.
“At present he had it a few times and instantly the chaos begins. [Matip] did that basically effectively.”
Matip has already began 4 occasions this season, largely as a result of Konate’s damage, coming at first of a marketing campaign which many consider will probably be his final for Liverpool.
His contract is because of expire subsequent summer time and stories counsel he will probably be allowed to depart on a free switch as an alternative of being provided an extension.
However whereas Matip – and, to a lesser extent, Joe Gomez – has discovered himself shunted to the periphery in recent times, and down within the estimations of followers in consequence, he’s nonetheless able to exhibiting his price.
That got here once more on Sunday, with the Cameroonian stepping as much as the problem of a cocksure Antonio and rising as a key a part of Liverpool’s newest victory.
