Jamie Carragher: Liverpool must start this understated player against West Ham
By Will Butcher
Jamie Carragher believes summer signing Joel Matip must start for Liverpool against West Ham on Sunday.
Writing in his Daily Mail column, Carragher claimed the 25-year-old brings the best out of fellow centre-back Dejan Lovren.
“A sign of a good player is how he can help lift the performances of those around him,” Carragher wrote. “Dejan Lovren has been more in control with a settled partner but he reverted to the form he showed after his arrival without Matip.
“Matip should return in tomorrow’s game with West Ham. Matip might be understated and not a player who commands headlines but he knows how to defend. Liverpool need him.”
Liverpool are desperate to see Matip return to the side, after starring for the Reds since his free transfer move in the summer from Bundesliga outfit Schalke.
Cameroon international Matip has been ruled out for an ankle injury in recent weeks, missing three games in which Liverpool have shipped nine goals.
Throughout the defender’s 13 league and cup appearances, Liverpool have conceded the same amount of goals.
However, Liverpool’s number 32 returned to training on Tuesday and is expected to make his return to Jurgen Klopp’s side against Slaven Bilic’s disappointing Hammers at Anfield.
Reds legend Carragher is desperate to see the new signing return to the Liverpool side, after quaking in his seat as his old side capitulated at the back to allow a 3-1 lead against Bournemouth slip into a 4-3 defeat.
A win for Liverpool on Sunday could see them move to within a point of league leaders Chelsea, if Antonio Conte’s side fail to beat West Brom at home.
In other Liverpool news, Michael Owen has predicted plenty of goals in Sunday’s clash.