Liverpool defender Joel Matip has told Jurgen Klopp he’s ready to stay injury-free and perform ahead of a time when he is needed most.
The Reds have suffered a mammoth injury crisis so far this season and Matip has found himself as the only fit senior central defender left available to Klopp, with Joe Gomez and Virgil van Dijk long-term absentees.
Matip himself has been far too injury-prone during his stint at Anfield, leading to some concern the Cameroonian wouldn’t be the man to be relied upon coming up to the hectic Christmas schedule.
However, in this week’s matchday programme from the 1-0 victory over Ajax, the 29-year-old stated he is up to the task, saying: “You have to come back and you try to be back stronger, but of course you always need some time to get back on a good level. I am feeling good now and I am looking forward to playing a lot of games.”
The centre-half has become something of a cult hero and seems to understand the importance he could have towards the fate of Liverpool season, proclaiming: “I hope to be playing as much as possible and to stay fit.”
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Matip has all the attributes to be one of the best players among this trophy-winning Liverpool squad and was recently described as ‘incredible’ by Klopp.
The only thing holding him back during his time as a Red since arriving on a free transfer in 2016 has been his own injury tribulations – something which needs to end given the woes of his defensive teammates.
He is now more important than ever as a leader at the back as he is partnered by a variety of different makeshift options in Fabinho, or inexperienced performers in Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams.
The most likely commonplace partnership, should they both stay fit, seems to be Matip and Fabinho as the two most experienced options, with the Brazilian impressing after dropping back from his usual midfield role.
