Premier League legend Alan Shearer has slammed Liverpool defender Joel Matip for his performance against Wolverhampton Wanderers yesterday.
Analysing the game on Match of the Day, the former Newcastle United hero was critical of the 31-year-old, who he claimed was largely responsible for the Reds’ poor defensive display.
“You have time to pick your pass, no pressure on the ball, it’s too easy,” said Shearer. “Gomez is out of position.
“Look at Matip, you have time to pick your pass and put it in behind. Matip stops. I mean, he is on his way over there to close them and he stops. I don’t know what he’s doing. He had a nightmare.
“Then, all of a sudden (Wolves goal the first goal) and it’s a little bit unlucky with that (the own goal). But again, one simple pass out. They have gone past the three midfielders. You are in the back four, into the final third, causing them problems.
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“Matip, again. Not acceptable. Not good enough,” added Shearer. “That should be in the back of the net (Nunes’ chance).”
Shearer says Matip isn’t good enough
If this was said last season, these comments would be completely unwarranted.
In the Premier League last term, Matip finished the league campaign as Liverpool’s fourth-best player, having averaged an impressive 7.35 match rating across the year.
However, this season, things couldn’t be more different.
Thus far, the centre-back is ranked as 24th in the Reds’ rankings, with an average score of 6.52 per game.
The defender looks very weak at the back, and he often struggles to compete with more physical strikers.
At the moment, there always seems to be a mistake in him. This is certainly exacerbated by Virgil van Dijk’s absence, as Matip certainly performs better with a leader beside him.
Therefore, with less than 18 months left on his deal, Liverpool may look to bring in a replacement in the summer – and it may be time for Jurgen Klopp to take him out of the firing line.