Jurgen Klopp must make Joel Matip a special case for struggling Liverpool

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Jurgen Klopp has got to make Joel Matip a special and unique case in this Liverpool team. It’s the only way to get the best out of him.

Jurgen Klopp can’t use Joel Matip every week. That’s certainly not out of choice – Matip just can’t stay fit.

He’s battle injuries for two seasons now and it particularly hurts this season. Matip is the only ‘available’ senior centre-half at the club, after all.

Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez are out long-term, making the Cameroonian the only option who might be available every week.

Only, he rarely is.

It’s a problem that leads to unorthodox solutions, like Fabinho and Jordan Henderson playing centre-half against Manchester United. Somehow, Liverpool kept a clean-sheet with two midfielders there.

That partnership might just save the season. But it’s not preferable. Liverpool will want Matip there whenever he’s fit but they might have to take a hit on that one.

Instead, Klopp needs to make Matip a special case – he can’t play him every time he wants to.

Giving up

Matip isn’t going to play every week. In fact, playing him is quite dangerous as that’s usually when he picks up his injuries.

It was in a game against Everton after the restart that left him out of the rest of last season. Right now, he’s out after going off against West Brom.

So Klopp has to keep that in mind and concede that he won’t get what he wants with Matip. He isn’t going to be the reliable saviour this season.

Instead, Matip can be a big-game asset. Just save him for the tough ones. Make sure the 29-year-old can feature against the top sides and the best attacks.

Henderson and Fabinho can cope against the weaker sides – just manage Matip’s fitness so he plays against Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City in recent weeks.

That’s surely the best and most reliable way to use him this season. It gets the most out of a player who could contribute more.

As Liverpool continue to struggle with their defensive injuries, this might be the only solution.