BBC Sport pundit raves about Joel Matip’s Liverpool FC display
Garth Crooks raves about Joel Matip's display in Liverpool FC's 3-1 win over Arsenal
Garth Crooks has heaped praise on Joel Matip following his fine performance in Liverpool FC’s 3-1 win over Arsenal in the Premier League on Saturday.
The Cameroon international headed the home side into the lead from a corner just before half-time and produced a solid display at the back to help Jurgen Klopp’s men to maintain their 100 per cent start to the season.
Mohamed Salah then netted twice in the second half to put the result beyond doubt, before substitute Lucas Torreira pulled a goal back for the Gunners.
Matip has been in good form for the Reds so far this season and Crooks has been particularly impressed by his displays this term.
Writing in his column for BBC Sport, Crooks said of Matip: “He was outstanding against Southampton last week and scored a glorious goal this week against Arsenal.
“And it was the Cameroon international whose brilliant recovery and tackle stopped Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from putting the Gunners back in the game.”
He added: “It’s all very well Arsenal (and other teams for that matter) trying to play nice, controlled football in their own third of the field when the opposition are breathing fire and brimstone but you must have players who have the confidence and the ability to cope with that pressure and Arsenal clearly don’t.
“There’s a time to play at the back and a time to boot it and on this occasion it was the latter.”
Liverpool FC will now switch their attentions towards their home clash against Burnley at Anfield on Saturday evening.
The Reds are the only team to have won all three of their opening games in the Premier League so far this season and they currently sit two points clear at the top of the table.
The Merseyside outfit are aiming to challenge for the title again this season after having finished second last term.
