Liverpool defender Joel Matip talks about returning to action after injury
Joel Matip when on song is one of the best Liverpool players. The only major problem which comes with the Cameroon international is his availability. The 31-year-old is extremely injury-prone, and having a world-class player on the books with him not being available at important stages can get displeasing for the club.
Matip picked up a calf issue against Arsenal in the early weeks of October, but recently made the comeback from injury and gathered important minutes vs Olympique Lyonnais in the Dubai Super Cup mid-season friendly.
Since last season, he has been dependable at the back for the Reds and at times, has even overshadowed his partner in central defence, Virgil van Dijk. Already missing 12 games this season due to injury issues, he would hope to get back on track in the second half of the campaign.
Here is what he told the club’s official website about his comeback from injury:
“When you are injured you always have to look from outside and it’s not the favourite part of every player. If you can finally be on the pitch for a game, it’s quite a joy.”
As one of the best players in the club, and also probably among the senior-most members of the club, Matip would want to set an example to follow for the other young defenders rising through the ranks at the club, and for that, fitness is extremely important.
Big Joel is Back for the Reds
It is an extremely positive piece of news that Big Joel is once again up and running for the Reds, and one would expect him to start alongside Joe Gomez against Manchester City in the EFL Cup 4th Round game on 22nd December.
Joel’s last full game came against Brighton and Hove Albion in the Premier League in a 3-3 draw to Roberto de Zerbi’s side. The former Schalke defender would hope to come back to competitive football all guns blazing and carry the Reds towards a top-four spot.
Virgil van Dijk will return to the team soon, and Ibrahima Konate much later as France has progressed through to the finals of the FIFA World Cup, and the Reds could see Ibou return with the World Champion medal around his neck.
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Matip chipped in with a rare goal earlier this season against Ajax scoring a late winner to get the Reds their win against the Dutch outfit. He would hope to contribute at both ends of the pitch, at least from set-pieces come the second part of the season.
