The Cameroon international played the full 90 minutes in Liverpool’s 5-0 rout of Burton.
Burton Albion’s Calum Butcher in action with Liverpool’s Joel Matip
Joel Matip has expressed his happiness at making his debut for Liverpool in the 5-0 EFL Cup defeat of Burton Albion, hoping that his injury issues are now fully behind him, in an interview with Liverpool’s official website.
The 25-year-old joined the Reds on a free from Schalke this summer and saw his pre-season curtailed by an ankle injury, but managed to make the bench as an unused substitute in the opening Premier League matches of the season, against Arsenal and Burnley.
He was handed a place in manager Jurgen Klopp’s starting 11 for the trip to the Pirelli Stadium in the EFL Cup and impressed in a solid debut, lasting the whole 90 minutes.
Liverpool’s Joel Matip in action with Burton Albion’s Marcus Harness
Matip was pleased to make his competitive debut for the club, and hopes it will serve as a benchmark for further improvement as he works his way back to full fitness.
“I feel very good after the time with my injury. It’s getting better and better,” said Matip, speaking to Liverpool’s official website.
“It was not the best time [while I was injured]. For a player it’s always hard when you’re injured and cannot go at 100 per cent. It’s good to be back. I will need some time, but I will get better.”
Despite a dominant display on Tuesday night, the Cameroon international also maintained that the squad have more room for improvement.
Liverpool’s Joel Matip in action with Mainz’s Jhon Cordoba
“We have some things to improve, we know this, but it’s the beginning of the season and we have enough quality to improve this and get better,” he continued.
“The first thing [he said was] win, and also to convince ourselves and the public. It was not our best game but we won and that’s the most important thing,” the defender said.
After a bruising defeat to Burnley over the weekend, the victory over Burton will serve as a morale boost for Klopp’s men across the park.
Such a dominant showing could now be used as the basis for more improvement for the Reds in the coming weeks.
Liverpool’s Daniel Sturridge celebrates scoring their fifth goal
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