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Early season Liverpool player power rankings

By Chad Dingman

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 29: Jurgen Klopp, Manager of Liverpool celebrates his team's victory following the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Selhurst Park on October 29, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 29: Jurgen Klopp, Manager of Liverpool celebrates his team's victory following the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Selhurst Park on October 29, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 29: Joel Matip of Liverpool closes down James McArthur of Crystal Palace during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Selhurst Park on October 29, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Christopher Lee/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 29: Joel Matip of Liverpool closes down James McArthur of Crystal Palace during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Selhurst Park on October 29, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Christopher Lee/Getty Images) /

9. Joel Matip

The free summer signing from Schalke has solidified his spot in Liverpool’s starting XI over the course of the season. He is part of a slightly error prone unit, but it is very hard to judge individual center back success. I haven’t seen anything extraordinary (either good or bad) in his play, but it seems like he is decent on the ball, just not as good as Lovren, which is part of the reason why I have to put him behind him in the rankings.

Matip has shown he is a very good passer with good range, but not hasn’t been involved in too many aerial duels. He has won only 52% of his battles in the air and has only won 1.8 aerial duels per 90. For a defender that is 6’5″, that seems really, really awful. He is not the main man in the center back duo, so while that does hurt him a little, I have him listed behind his partner mostly because of the lack of prowess he has shown in the air.

Matip scored his very first Premier League goal in the victory over Crystal Palace two weeks ago, where his side was also at fault for allowing two very avoidable goals. Matip should see plenty of game time the rest of 2016, but if Klopp goes shopping in the transfer window to bolster his defense, he looks to have the most to lose out of him and Lovren. With Sakho as good as gone, and Klavan and Lucas a clear step down, Matip will be under pressure to impress Klopp and hold things together at the back.

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