Liverpool: Klopp must unleash Matip vs City
Liverpool face a big task tonight as they travel to Manchester City in a bid to retain their EFL Cup crown following last season’s domestic cup successes.
What stands in their way, however, is a team Jurgen Klopp will be intimately familiar with as his tactical war with Pep Guardiola is reignited off-fight in the Premier League.
This makes for an intriguing matchup so early in the competition as it comes to the pits only two clubs have won the competition against each other in the last five years.
Although this dominance is seen through the four won by the Cityzens in the years leading up to last season, it’s still a clash between two of the best sides in the country.
Having met them once before this season, the Reds won 1-0 at Anfield in what was comfortably the highlight of their season so far.
Showing defensive solidity throughout, silencing free-kick Erling Haaland will always be a daunting task.
What will add tenfold difficulty is that the Norwegian has been rested this World Cup period so Klopp will have to fight fire with fire.
To quell the threat from the hulking marksman, given the absence of World Cup star Ibrahima Konate and the likely fatigue of Virgil van Dijk, he will surely need to call back his own equally rested titan in defense in Joel Matip.
The 31-year-old has made a career plagued by injuries on Merseyside, but still remains a “Dominant” Defender when fit, as dubbed by Sami Hyypia.
Been confirmed available by Pep Lijnders, he must regain his form in his toughest personal test of the season.
Though he’s playing sparingly this season, he’ll be leaning on last season’s performances as a gauge of his success.
During that campaign, he recorded an average rating of 7.35, during which he kept 17 clean sheets, aided by his 1.4 interceptions, 1.5 tackles, and 2.9 clearances per game sofa score.
Haaland will not only demand the best of him defensively – given how he already boasts 18 Premier League goals in just 13 Appearances – but Matip’s ability on the ball will be imperative to sidestep the City press.
This year also saw the £100,000 per week Brute record a 90% Dribbling success rate paired with a 89% pass rate.
Would you start Joel Matip against Man City?
Yes
no
Any success Liverpool could have in this game depends on the African centre-back so Klopp needs to start him tonight.
