Liverpool struggled at the back against Napoli in the Champions League last week, and Jürgen Klopp has decided to make at least one change in defence for the game against Ajax.
And that change will see Joel Matip return to the starting eleven, likely at the expense of Joe Gomez, according to the Times
Matip came back to the Liverpool squad against Newcastle a couple of weeks ago after missing a few matches through an injury he sustained on the opening day of the season.
And in his absence, without Ibrahima Konaté to call on, Jürgen Klopp opted to use Joe Gomez.
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The Brit, though, who barely featured as a centre-back for the Reds last season, has struggled.
The Englishman hasn’t been helped by the poor form of those around him, with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk, and Andy Robertson looking far from their usual selves.
A change at the heart of defence could thus rejuvenate a Liverpool backline which needs to be solidified.
And Matip could be just the man for the job, he was excellent for Liverpool last season performing as van Dijk’s central defensive partner in the Premier League.
Some Liverpool fans have even claimed Matip, who signed for the Reds in 2016, had a better season than van Dijk last term.
Gomez on the other hand could be left questioning his decision to sign a new long-term contract over the summer months.
He is clearly not trusted to start regularly as a centre-back at the moment and his chances of displacing Matip will grow even slimmer when Ibrahima Konaté returns from injury.
With Calvin Ramsay still carrying an injury, Gomez will in all likelihood revert to the role of performing as back up to Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back.
In spite of Gomez’s personal disappointment, Liverpool fans will be delighted to see Matip return.
Their side are in desperate need of a win tonight after last week’s disappointment in Naples.
Topics: Liverpool, Ajax, Joel Matip, Jurgen Klopp, Champions League
Robert Worthington