Why This 25-Year Old Will Be The Key Figure For Liverpool Against Manchester United

The summer transfer window has seen a lot of improvement in the quality in the Premier League as top class players have made a move to try and prove themselves in the most competitive league in Europe. There were a number of star signings by the clubs around the league but not every player has been able to adjust to the conditions quickly. But one player that has excelled so far this season is Liverpool’s free transfer Joel Matip. The former Bundesliga man only came into the side after the first two league games but has ever since produced some impressive performances to cement a place in the starting XI. However, his biggest test in the new season will come this Monday when Liverpool welcome Manchester United to Anfield.

One of the fiercest battles, between the two most decorated sides in Europe, is always bound to produce some intense encounters and the 25-year old will surely have an important job in his hands against the Red Devils. Matip, with his impending physical figure, has not taken any time to get used to the conditions in England and has carried his form from Schalke to Anfield this season. With an impressive passing rate of 88%, the Cameroon international has gelled into Klopp’s style for the Reds and has provided the kind of base that they need to play some high-intensity football. He has also won 54.55% of his ariel duels in the league so far which is on the high side but playing against Manchester United, he will have to do a lot better.

Mourinho’s side have not been able to produce free flowing football so far this season and though they have not found goals hard to come by, they have not been able to create consistent chances from open play. They are a team that are still getting to know what the manager wants from them but on their day, they can blow their opponents away like they did to the Champions of England a couple of weeks ago. This is where Matip might be an important player for Liverpool.

The likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Anthony Martial, Wayne Rooney, Paul Pogba, Marcus Rashford and Marouane Fellaini are all excellent in the air and Liverpool needs a man who can keep them away from harm’s reach. Though Matip cannot cover every player on the field, he will provide the ariel presence that Liverpool have been missing for some years now. He has looked strong and confident so far this season and Jurgen Klopp will hope that he can get the better of the many stars that the Reds will have to worry about on Monday.

Jose Mourinho’s side will put pressure on the weak links in the opponent’s squad but at the moment, the only newbie in the Liverpool defense is Matip and it does not look like he will give United freebies at Anfield. The 25-year old can grow on to become one of the best in the league and this game might be a chance to get one step closer.