Alan McInally has hailed Liverpool defender Joel Matip, claiming that he is a “threat” that “nobody” talks about.
The Cameroonian has already scored in the Premier League this season, opening the scoring in a 3-1 win over Arsenal at Anfield towards the back end of August, and the ex-Bayern Munich striker has suggested that he could bag more as the season progresses.
Speaking on Sky Sports News (Saturday October 19th, 13.04), he said: “Who’s talking about Matip? Nobody really, but his manager was.
“So I think that’s the confidence his manager has given him.
“Of course he’s a threat, and there’s no question he’s gotten better alongside [Virgil] Van Dijk.”
OPINION
There’s no doubt that Matip is having a stellar season, but McInally is absolutely right to suggest that nobody is talking about him as an attacking threat at the moment. Perhaps that should change though. His header against Arsenal was a towering effort and really showcased just how potent he can be when it comes to attacking high balls. At the end of the day, this is a player who is wining an average of six aerial duels per game in the Premier League this season, as per Whoscored, and there’s no reason why he can’t transfer that onto the front foot a little bit more. If he can, it would be fantastic for his side. The Reds possess goal threats from all across the pitch, but if they can add a centre back capable of notching five or six too, it would be the icing on the cake.
