Skip to content

Joel Matip was missed by Liverpool in the 4-3 defeat at Bournemouth

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp shakes hands with defender Joel Matip after their Premier League game against Swansea

Liverpool fans would have been worried when Joel Matip was ruled out of their trip to Bournemouth with an ankle injury, and their fears proved justified as the Reds capitulated on the south coast. Adam Bate examines the stats that highlight the defender's importance…

Liverpool's dramatic 4-3 defeat to Bournemouth, in which they conceded three times in the final quarter of an hour to surrender a two-goal lead, was their first loss since the reverse at Burnley in August. That was the previous Premier League game that Joel Matip missed. Few feel it's a coincidence.

Cherries rally to stun Liverpool
Cherries rally to stun Liverpool

Bournemouth scored three goals in the final 14 minutes to turn it around against Liverpool.

The summer signing also sat out Liverpool's 4-3 classic - the opening-day win at Arsenal - but he's played the whole game in each of their other 11 league games in the intervening period. For all the criticism of the team's defending, they've shown improved solidity in those games.

That was long gone on Sunday. While Bournemouth deserve credit for their come-from-behind win, Loris Karius's mistake gifted it to them late on and Liverpool cannot say it wasn't coming. Indeed, the goalkeeper had bailed them out just minutes earlier.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Highlights of Bournemouth's dramatic 4-3 win over Liverpool

On that occasion, Benik Afobe appeared to simply run through Matip's replacement Lucas Leiva in order to bear down on Karius. Liverpool were rocking and in dire need of their rock. Instead they crumbled. It was reminiscent of some of the low points of last season.

Incredibly, a little over a year into his reign, the defeat to Bournemouth was the fourth time under Jurgen Klopp that Liverpool have been two goals ahead in a Premier League game and still failed to win. No other team has led by two at the break and lost since the Reds did so at Southampton in March.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Jurgen Klopp gives his reaction to Bournemouth's stunning comeback

Matip hasn't been present for any of those games. With him around, it's a different story. Indeed, the stats suggest his presence in Liverpool's defence is a significant one. They have conceded as many goals - nine - in the three games he's missed as in the 11 he has played.

Also See:

Klopp's side have conceded at least two goals in each of those three games but have done so only once in the other 11 - and even that was the 4-2 win at Crystal Palace. Their record is an impressive 8-3-0 with him in the starting line-up. Title-winning form and then some.

Liverpool's key man?

Premier League 2016/17 P W D L Win % Points pg
With Matip 11 8 3 0 73% 2.45
Without Matip 3 1 0 2 33% 1.00

Throw in two cup wins and for all of Sadio Mane's efforts at the other end of the pitch, the free transfer acquisition of Matip must rank as Klopp's best signing yet. "We didn't sign him just because he was free," said the manager last month. "That was just a nice plus."

It's a plus they needed because Matip aside and this Liverpool defence remains error prone this season. According to Opta, only struggling West Ham have made more mistakes leading to opposition goals and it's not all about the goalkeeper. The blame can be shared around.

Live Nissan Super Sunday

Nathaniel Clyne was culpable against Burnley, while Lucas's error allowed Jamie Vardy to score for Leicester. Dejan Lovren was fortunate that his mistake at Palace didn't cost Liverpool points but the same could not be said of the litany of mistakes on Sunday.

As well as Karius's poor handling, Divock Origi should have done better for two of the goals. Even Callum Wilson's spot-kick came about after Lovren's sloppy control put James Milner in trouble, the left-back then fouling Ryan Fraser. Liverpool completely lost their cool.

The Matip difference?

Premier League 2016/17 Played Goals let in Conceded 2+ Conceded pg
With Matip 11 9 1 0.82
Without Matip 3 9 3 3.00

"Joel is not the most talkative person, but he is very cool," said Klopp recently. "In his first few weeks he told me, 'I think I can help the team' and that was a sign of confidence." According to the Opta data, Matip is yet to make an error leading to a shot let alone a goal.

He's made more blocks than any Liverpool player, while only Jordan Henderson has made more interceptions. Klopp described his centre-backs as "brilliant" against Manchester United and "outstanding" against the physical threat of West Brom. He's adapted well.

Joel Matip beats Salomon Rondon to a header
Image: Matip has risen to the physical challenge of the Premier League this season

"If you had worked or lived in Germany then you would've known much more about him," Klopp has pointed out. "It was pretty clear that it would make sense, if he's interested, to sign him. There was never a doubt about his quality."

But there are renewed doubts about the capabilities of this Liverpool team. They have shown they can still provide a significant attacking threat without Philippe Coutinho and yet the issue of their defensive fragility has not been fully addressed.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Jamie Carragher feels Liverpool's leaky defence could be costly in the title race

"Games like that will put doubt in the mind," Jamie Carragher told Sky Sports. "Is the goalkeeper and the defensive side of the game good enough or will that let them down? At the moment, you are looking at it and thinking that could stop Liverpool."

Perhaps that's only a major issue if they are to be without Matip for a prolonged period of time. For while Liverpool's problems cannot be pinned on one man, their recent record suggests that one man's presence could go some way to solving them. Joel Matip is going to be a key figure in Liverpool's season.

Around Sky