“It always helps to have another centre-back” Liverpool star opens up on 3-man back line used by Klopp

Liverpool defender Joel Matip has told Liverpoolfc.com that the team is getting used to the back-three formation and believes he and his teammates would become comfortable enough once Jurgen Klopp deploys it from the start of games.

Klopp, of late, has introduced an extra centre-back from the bench in the latter stages of recent games to provide extra stability. It is a tactical switch admired by Matip, who believes the extra defender brings solidity to see off games.

“Normally I would say it always helps to have another centre-back on who helps with the defence – who has defending in his mind, in his head – to give more solidity in the last few minutes, but of course you also have to adapt to the new situation,” Matip was quoted by Liverpoolfc.com.

“We have done this a few times now though so it is no longer a new situation for the players on the pitch to deal with.

“Maybe the manager will start with three at the back if a certain situation requires it, or it fits well for a game. I don’t know, but it’s an opportunity that maybe we will use.”

After signing Virgil van Dijk in January, Klopp has four central defenders at his disposal including Van Dijk, namely Matip, Ragnar Klavan and Dejan Lovren. While Joe Gomez is also a centre-back, the Liverpool manager has used the player at the right-back position, with the England international often seen switching with Trent Alexander-Arnold.

A lot of options in central defence has not only allowed Klopp to reshuffle his pack time and again but has also provided him with the opportunity to change his starting duo whenever required, in order to keep the squad fresh.

And for Matip, who has found first-team opportunities a little tough to come by since the arrival of Van Dijk, has played both on the right and the left as asked by Klopp. Explaining the differences between the two positions, the Cameroon international added

“It is the same position but not the same position, if you know what I mean.

“If you have to play more on your right or more on your left, it is not the biggest difference, but it is different so you must adapt.

“In my time as a centre-back – although not here – I have played in both positions really often and maybe I prefer the right, but I also played on the left for a few years so I feel comfortable and confident in both positions.”

Matip has been underwhelming in the last couple of months but dished out an assured performance alongside Van Dijk in the victory over Watford last weekend, helping us to a clean sheet.