Liverpool great Graeme Souness has expressed his displeasure with the present state of the club’s defense, focusing on the inconsistency of Joel Matip due to injuries. Souness thinks Liverpool should make replacing Matip, 32, a top priority because of his persistent health problems.
To the extent that Matip has been healthy, he has greatly aided Liverpool. However, Liverpool’s defense has been significantly weakened by his chronic injury problems in key situations. Souness has sent word through ECHO that the club has to take something to stop this from happening again. He also said how Liverpool’s £16 million investment on Wataru Endo indicates the player would serve mostly as a substitute.
Since Matip has been unable to maintain his fitness, I think they need to get a new center defense and a new central midfielder. If they paid Endo what they did, he’d have to be a team player.
Due to his history of injuries, Matip has never been able to provide the reliable defensive support that Liverpool needs. Souness thinks it’s unsustainable for an ambitious team like Liverpool to depend on a player with such a long history of injury.
Souness’s analysis goes beyond the defensive unit. He agrees that Liverpool needs to add depth to their midfield. The team signed Japanese midfielder Wataru Endo during the summer transfer window, but Souness thinks Endo will be more of a bench warmer than a game-changer for the club.
Matip Too Old For The Reds?
With important players leaving and a clear need for replacements emerging, Liverpool’s midfield has been a source of concern in recent seasons. Souness’s remarks are indicative of the continuous discussion over the quality and make-up of the midfield. Since that was remedied during this transfer window, attention can now be redirected to the defense. The contract between the Merseyside club and the Cameroonian player will end in 2024.
Although Matip has been dependable whenever he has been on the field, his deterioration has been obvious, and the club would be wise to explore the market for appropriate options, preferably left-sided central defenders who can also play left back.
