One of Jurgen Klopp's 'brilliant' summer signings has revealed the reason why he decided to sign for Liverpool.
In an interview on the LFC website, Matip admitted that the Premier League is 'a lot more physical than the Bundesliga' but claimed this is the principal reason he chose the Reds. Matip explained:
"I saw the games on the TV [and] the players I would play against. This was one of the reasons I wanted to come. It's a special way of playing. There are a lot of really big names and it's a great honour to fight against them, and to win the challenge against them."
Matip has acquitted himself well so far, but to be honest, I'm still not 100% convinced. Like all fan favourites, Matip's mistakes are rationalised, excused, or just ignored because fans can't bear to criticise their favourite players.
Recent examples:
* Southampton: Redmond went past Matip several times as if he wasn't there. In two instances, for example, Redmond left Matip in the dust, and squared the ball for Tadic (saved by Karius), and Davis (Skied over the bar). Then, Matip was woefully out of position for Southampton's winning goal (he wasn't even in Liverpool's half).
* Hull: For the first goal, Matip's positioning was atrocious. He just stood in the box (not marking anyone); watched the ball sail over his head, and then failed to react. Then, for the second goal: Despite having a full 5 seconds to see Ranocchia striding out of defence with the ball, Matip was nowhere near Niasse when the the Italian delivered his telegraphed long ball. I just don't get it - surely it as obvious that the long ball was coming? If not obvious, then Matip should've at least anticipated such a pass.
There have been quite a few other instances like the above throughout the season, but unlike before, Matip is now being punished for these lapses. Still, it's hard to complain when Matip arrived on a free transfer, but there are occasions where you get what you pay for, and that's certainly been the case in the last three games.
^ Matip: €22m-rated (CIES Football Observatory).
In an interview on the LFC website, Matip admitted that the Premier League is 'a lot more physical than the Bundesliga' but claimed this is the principal reason he chose the Reds. Matip explained:
"I saw the games on the TV [and] the players I would play against. This was one of the reasons I wanted to come. It's a special way of playing. There are a lot of really big names and it's a great honour to fight against them, and to win the challenge against them."
Matip has acquitted himself well so far, but to be honest, I'm still not 100% convinced. Like all fan favourites, Matip's mistakes are rationalised, excused, or just ignored because fans can't bear to criticise their favourite players.
Recent examples:
* Southampton: Redmond went past Matip several times as if he wasn't there. In two instances, for example, Redmond left Matip in the dust, and squared the ball for Tadic (saved by Karius), and Davis (Skied over the bar). Then, Matip was woefully out of position for Southampton's winning goal (he wasn't even in Liverpool's half).
* Hull: For the first goal, Matip's positioning was atrocious. He just stood in the box (not marking anyone); watched the ball sail over his head, and then failed to react. Then, for the second goal: Despite having a full 5 seconds to see Ranocchia striding out of defence with the ball, Matip was nowhere near Niasse when the the Italian delivered his telegraphed long ball. I just don't get it - surely it as obvious that the long ball was coming? If not obvious, then Matip should've at least anticipated such a pass.
There have been quite a few other instances like the above throughout the season, but unlike before, Matip is now being punished for these lapses. Still, it's hard to complain when Matip arrived on a free transfer, but there are occasions where you get what you pay for, and that's certainly been the case in the last three games.
^ Matip: €22m-rated (CIES Football Observatory).
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