Joel Matip will start for Liverpool tonight as the Reds host Ajax in their latest Champions League outing, most likely replacing Joe Gomez.
Liverpool simply have to respond after being hammered 4-1 by Napoli in their opening Champions League group stage game last week.
The Reds have now had almost a week off having sen their game against Wolverhampton Wanderers postponed over the weekend.
Jurgen Klopp needs to come up with answers tonight but will be going up against a very dangerous Ajax side.
Joel Matip will start for Liverpool tonight
Liverpool simply can’t afford to be 3-0 down at half-time as they were against Napoli last week.
To be brutally honest, Joe Gomez was simply terrible against Napoli last week and many expect him to drop out of the team tonight.
The Times report that Klopp has already made that decision as they claim that Joel Matip will be starting at Anfield this evening.
Matip came on to replace Gomez at half time in Naples, partnering Virgil van Dijk as he so often does.
Klopp clearly believes that Matip over Gomez is the way for Liverpool to find some defensive solidity again.
Matip, 31, started Liverpool’s opening game of the season at Fulham, which was a 2-2 draw.
Matip then picked up a groin problem in training and didn’t return until making a 10-minute substitute appearance against Everton on September 3rd.
Klopp stuck with Gomez for the trip to Napoli but the way he was run ragged means Matip is now in line to come back in.
The Cameroonian ace adds experience at the back for Liverpool and his partnership with Van Dijk has largely been impressive throughout their time together at Liverpool.
Ajax racked up four goals against Rangers last week as Liverpool leaked four.
Klopp’s plan is now for Matip to stop both things happening again, and it’s a decision that most Liverpool fans will ultimately agree with after Gomez’s horror show.
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