Alan Shearer feels Joel Matip’s performance during Liverpool’s 3-0 defeat to Wolves on Saturday was ‘not acceptable, as he told Match of the Day
The Premier League’s all-time leading scorer went on to call Matip’s performance a “horror,” while also criticizing Thiago Alcantara, Naby Keita, Andy Robertson, and Joe Gomez.
Jurgen Klopp’s men keep doing the same thing!
You name it this season: Brentford, Brighton, Wolves at Anfield in the FA Cup, Old Trafford away, Arsenal away, or Manchester City in the League Cup.
Whoever Liverpool plays, whether at the top of the league, in the Premier League, or in the domestic cup. There is struggle after struggle, but most concerningly, there is no indication of an end in sight.
It’s a major concern for many on Merseyside and their hopes of making Europe this season, as Shearer was harsh in his comments.
“You have time to pick your pass, there is no pressure on the ball, it’s too easy,” Shearer explained. “Gomez is out of place. Look at Matip, you have time to choose your pass and place it behind you. Matip comes to a halt. He’s on his way over there to close them when he suddenly stops. I’m not sure what he’s up to. He was having a nightmare.
“Then, all of a sudden (the ball goes in the back of the net for the opening goal), and that’s a little unlucky” (the ball hitting him and going in). But, once again, a simple pass out. They’ve passed the three midfielders. You’re in the back four, in the last third, causing issues for them.
“The ball is in for the second goal. There will be no shutdown. Why isn’t Robertson shutting them down?! That he should do. Why isn’t Keita shutting them down?! Then you can take a touch and put the ball in the centre, but you will be penalized. After 11 or 12 minutes, the score was 2-0.
“Matip, once more. This is not acceptable. “Not good enough,” Shearer said of the £200,000-a-week Liverpool player (Spotrac). “That should be in the back of the net (Nunes’ one-v-one chance) – when the ball gets through (for Wolves’ third), the reaction or lack of reaction from Thiago while he’s chasing Neves. He notices Neves but makes no attempt to stop him. Wolves scored a fantastic goal.”
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT FOR LIVERPOOL?
The Reds’ next game is the Merseyside derby, and it’s a matchup that probably fits Everton at the moment.
Sean Dyche has won his first match as manager, defeating Premier League leaders Arsenal.
The previously struggling Everton defense will relish the opportunity to face Matip, Thiago, and Gomez, depending on who Klopp selects.
They’re all over the place in terms of form, and even if they win in eight days, it’ll be a grind.
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