The former Bundesliga star will be looking to impress against Leicester livewire Jamie Vardy.
Liverpool’s Joel Matip and Jordan Henderson applaud fans after drawing with Tottenham
New Liverpool defender Joel Matip made a big impression on his league debut for the Merseyside giants, helping keep Tottenham Hotspur forward Harry Kane quiet during the recent draw at White Hart Lane, and the Cameroon international has been speaking to the club website about how he has been settling into life at Anfield.
Having spent his entire life in Germany, and the whole of his professional career with Bundesliga powerhouse Schalke before his free transfer to join Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool revolution, the 25-year-old explained that two of his defensive partners have already proven to be a big help at putting his roots down and ensuring a strong performance on the pitch.
Tottenham’s Harry Kane in action with Liverpool’s Dejan Lovren
Matip told liverpoolfc.com that he and Dejan Lovren’s language skills means they communicate in both English and German.
“It’s a mix but we understand each other,” Matip said. “Dejan speaks perfect German.
“At the beginning, we played a lot of games together. Also when Ragnar [Klavan] came back, I have a good feeling with him.
“Dejan gives me cover all the time and I know I can trust him. It also needs some time so I know the way he will make and he knows the way I will make. It needs some time but it will get better.”
Tottenham’s Dele Alli and manager Mauricio Pochettino attempt to retrieve the ball off Liverpool’s Joel Matip
The former Schalke star will likely be paired alongside Lovren once again in Liverpool’s first home game of the season against Leicester City later on Saturday, playing in front of a new main stand at Anfield that boosts the ground’s capacity to 54,000.
They will be coming up against another of the previous season’s goal machines in Jamie Vardy, a completely different attacker to defend against compared to Kane, so naturally, communication is going to be integral to Liverpool’s success against the Premier League champs.
Supporters will be hoping that there is plenty of talk at the back, whatever language it is in.
Liverpool’s Joel Matip heads against the crossbar
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