Joel Matip: Why Guardiola frustrated seeing him make Liverpool move

Published on: 16 February 2016

COMMENT: The announcement of his arrival may have been low-key, but new Liverpool signing Joel Matip could have a huge impact at Anfield.

Away from the razzmatazz and intense focus of the January Transfer Window, confirmation of the Cameroonian defender's pre-contract agreement was released on Monday.

It marks Jurgen Klopp's first return to the Bundesliga for talent, and it is a significant one.

As Klopp has gone through his bedding-in period on Merseyside, observing and learning about his new side, one of the biggest priorities on his to-do list was surely to shore up his defence.

Shaky at best, and calamitous at their worst, any back-line that can ship four to Norwich clearly needs work.

That Kolo Toure gets fairly regular game-time points to a huge shortage of quality.

One that Matip will address.

At 24, Matip is young enough to improve from his standing as Schalke mainstay but experienced enough, with more than 200 senior appearances, to operate as a leader.

Physically, he's built for the Premier League. Tall, powerful, and like a gazelle when running at full tilt, he takes no prisoners.

There are comparisons with Bayern defender Jerome Boateng, whose time in England was punctuated by occasional lapses of concentration, but has since grown into one of the continent's leading defenders.

It wouldn't be a huge stretch to suggest that Matip could be about to follow a similar course.

The pace of Bundesliga football is similar to that of the Premier League, and his technical ability will be a plus.

His ability to break-up play means he can operate as a midfield destroyer, but most German pundits see his future at centre back.

It's easy to get carried away with new signings on paper - especially those who are entirely untried in England's lifestyle, let alone football - but, on a free transfer, Matip is a brilliant no-brainer of an addition.

A certain Herr Guardiola may well be kicking himself.

Source: tribalfootball.com

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