Joël Matip – Football Scout

With Champions League qualification in their grasp, Craig Burley says Liverpool need to seal the deal against Boro.

After each round of Premier League fixtures, ESPN FC brings you its Team of the Weekend. Our panel of experts carefully selects 11 star performers along with a manager.

Do you agree or disagree? You can have your say on those picked or overlooked in the comments section at the foot of the article or on Twitter, using the hashtag #ESPNFCTOTW.

ESPN FC’s Premier League Team of the Weekend.

Goalkeeper: Were it not for David De Gea’s excellent performance, then Tottenham would have scored far more than the two goals they managed in beating…

Emre Can’s wonder goal delivers Liverpool crucial win at Watford

Emre Can produced a picture-perfect overhead kick to secure the 1-nil win for Liverpool as their ascent to the top four continues.

Emre Can produced a picture-perfect overhead kick to secure the 1-nil win for Liverpool as their ascent to…

Dejan Lovren a liability as Liverpool again play down to their opponent

Palace continue to fight strongly against relegation as a Christian Benteke brace led to victory over third-place Liverpool.

Janusz Michallik breaks down all four teams that are still in contention for the remaining Champions League spots.

Christian Benteke says he respects his former club and chose to not show them up after scoring his goals.
Liverpool are so unpredictable that it’s now become utterly predictable. After dropping two points at home to Bournemouth, they won two difficult away games before returning to Anfield and slumping against Crystal Palace, despite taking the lead. Few are even surprised anymore. With games running out, their top-four hopes have taken a severe hit after this loss, especially with Manchester United having won earlier at Burnley. 

Liverpool

Crystal Palace

Game Details

Live football odds with bet365. Bet Now »

Highlights

GameCast

Lineups and Stats

Positives
The continued good form of Philippe Coutinho is one small…

Liverpool must avoid letdown to stay in contention for spot in top four

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp believes Crystal Palace have one of the best offensive lines in the Premier League.

Steve Nicol hopes Jurgen Klopp spends many years at Liverpool but finds it unlikely that Anfield will be the last coaching stop for the German.

Shaka Hislop believes Joe Hart is not the worthy candidate to replace Simon Mignolet between the posts at Anfield.

Liverpool face Crystal Palace on Sunday after a good run of results has strengthened their challenge for a top-four place.

There will be confusion at Anfield with fans not knowing what to expect. The Reds might have beaten Palace in their past two meetings, but both were at Selhurst Park. The South Londoners have won on their past two trips to Anfield.

Liverpool

Crystal Palace

3:30 PM UTC

Game Details

Home: 1/2 
Draw: 15/4 
Away: 6/1 
Odds from bet365
bet365

PickCenter

GameCast

Lineups and Stats

One was an ignominious 3-1 defeat when fans were bidding farewell to Steven Gerrard, soon to leave for the LA Galaxy. Liverpool’s best servant…

Liverpool’s attacking style makes defending ‘difficult’ – Joel Matip

Steve Nicol hopes Jurgen Klopp spends many years at Liverpool but finds it unlikely that Anfield will be the last coaching stop for the German.

Jurgen Klopp is not bothered by Alberto Moreno’s miss on an open net in Liverpool’s win at West Brom.

Jurgen Klopp is delighted with Liverpool’s win over West Brom, calling the Hawthorns one of the toughest places to visit.

Craig Burley says Liverpool’s favourable remaining schedule puts them in the driver’s seat to finish in the top four.

Liverpool scored just before halftime and held off West Brom for a narrow away victory.
Joel Matip has told Sport Bild that Liverpool’s full-on attacking style is the reason for their leaky defence this season.
Liverpool have conceded 40 goals in the Premier League so far during the 2016-17 campaign — comfortably the most by any team in the top five.
However, Matip says their league-leading 69 goals scored this term has helped make up for their problems at the back, with Champions League qualification now in sight with five games remaining.
“We know that we have to improve our defence,”…

Liverpool experimenting with three centre-backs due to recent injury woes

Steve Nicol says Jurgen Klopp has a “slim to zero” chance of getting the reinforcements Liverpool need this summer.

ESPN FC’s Steve Nicol takes aim at Liverpool’s struggles against teams below them in the Premier League table.

With none of his injured stars expected to return any time soon, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has to decide whether to persist with three central defenders or revert back to the 4-3-3 system he has used — largely to good effect — for most of the season.

For the first time this campaign, the German started with a back three at Stoke City last weekend. Although his side won the game it would be a huge stretch to say that the system was a success. Despite the extra defender they had on the field,…

Liverpool’s Joel Matip: My international career with Cameroon ‘is now finished’

Jurgen Klopp admits Philippe Coutinho has struggled to find top form since his return from injury.

Jurgen Klopp provides a Liverpool injury update ahead of their vital Premier League fixture against Manchester City.

Ahead of their weekend clash, the FC crew debate whether Man City or Liverpool will finish higher in the Premier League.

The Exploding Heads break down who would win in a showdown between the cities of Manchester and Liverpool.

On Liverpool’s 125-year anniversary, Steve Nicol recollects some of his favourite Liverpool moments.
Joel Matip has told The Times that he considers his international career with Cameroon to be over.
Matip, 25, was one of seven Cameroon players who rejected the chance to compete at the recent African Nations Cup with the eventual winners, while the Cameroon FA argued that they should not be allowed to play for their clubs during the tournament.
The centre-half was forced to miss two Liverpool games as a result and now says he has no plans to end his international exile.
“It was not always easy…

Liverpool’s warm-weather training camp hailed by Sadio Mane, Joel Matip

Former Liverpool midfielder Steve McManaman speaks exclusively to ESPN FC about Liverpool’s progress under Jurgen Klopp.
Sadio Mane and Joel Matip have both spoken of the benefits the Liverpool squad gained from their recent midseason trip to Spain.
Liverpool have just returned from a warm-weather training camp in La Manga, with manager Jurgen Klopp using his side’s lengthy break due to their FA Cup exit last month as an opportunity for another “preseason.”
Mane says the trip helped increase the understanding between teammates throughout the entire squad.
“It went very well,” he told the club’s official website. “We…

Joel Matip: Liverpool ‘won’t be knocked off course’ by recent form

Craig Burley and Steve Nicol butt heads over Liverpool’s tumble down the table in 2017, and if Jurgen Klopp is to blame.

Former Liverpool defender Steve Nicol says he wouldn’t bet a penny on Jurgen Klopp’s side finishing in the top four.

Jurgen Klopp is more disappointed with Liverpool’s performance and spirit than the losing result itself.

After another disappointing result, Craig Burley thinks Liverpool will have a tough uphill battle to reach the top four.

Hull heaped more pressure on Jürgen Klopp as they overcame Liverpool 2-0.
Joel Matip believes Liverpool’s long-term plan for success under Jurgen Klopp will not be affected by the recent disastrous run of form.
The Reds have won just one game in the last 10 and find themselves out of the top four in the Premier League, as well as being knocked out of two cup competitions last month.
However, Matip, who was signed on a free transfer in the summer from Schalke, told German newspaper Sport Bild that it would be wrong to scrap Klopp’s plans following a barren spell.
“We know…

Joel Matip bench role in Liverpool’s loss to Swansea baffling – Steve Nicol

Swansea pulled off a shocking victory over Liverpool in a brilliant game at Anfield.

Swansea pulled off a shock victory over Liverpool in a brilliant game at Anfield.

Steve Nicol gets flustered wondering why Jurgen Klopp left Joel Matip on the bench to start their match against Swansea.

Jurgen Klopp has insisted his team’s defending against Swansea was not good enough.
Former Liverpool defender Steve Nicol has told ESPN FC he “couldn’t understand” why Jurgen Klopp did not play Joel Matip in the centre of defence during Saturday’s 3-2 loss to Swansea City.
Matip had missed Liverpool’s two previous games due to uncertainty over his eligibility after he declined to play for Cameroon at the African Nations Cup but, although FIFA said he was free to play against Swansea, he was only among the substitutes.
He finally made his introduction in the 94th minute as a replacement…

SIGN INTO YOUR ACCOUNT CREATE NEW ACCOUNT

CREATE ACCOUNT ALREADY HAVE AN ACCOUNT?

FORGOT YOUR DETAILS?