{"id":582368,"date":"2021-02-02T10:38:00","date_gmt":"2021-02-02T15:38:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/?p=582368"},"modified":"2026-03-15T13:54:07","modified_gmt":"2026-03-15T17:54:07","slug":"joel-matip-injury-reiterates-importance-of-deadline-day-business-at-liverpool","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2021\/02\/02\/joel-matip-injury-reiterates-importance-of-deadline-day-business-at-liverpool\/","title":{"rendered":"Joel Matip Injury Reiterates Importance of Deadline Day Business at Liverpool"},"content":{"rendered":"

A couple of weeks ago, things looked bleak at Liverpool<\/a>. The goals stopped flowing; the wins stopped coming, and even the Anfield record could no longer be called upon as a positive- toppled by Sean Dyche’s Burnley.<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Yet, fast-forward a week, and Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool are third having enjoyed two statement-making wins in the capital. Scintillating football was back; the tune of Jurgen Klopp’s heavy metal band echoed around London as the Reds toppled both Tottenham Hotspur<\/a> and West Ham United<\/a> in ruthless fashion.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But, in all the positives, came one negative blow with Joel Matip suffering a season-ending injury<\/a>– leaving the Reds with zero senior central defenders available. It has been the narrative of a disruptive Liverpool season with midfielders forced to become auxiliary centre-backs, leaving Liverpool forced to act on deadline day.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Matip Injury Reiterates Importance of Liverpool Transfers<\/span><\/h2>\n

Deadline Day Deals: Potential Difference-Makers for Liverpool<\/span><\/h3>\n

Before the Matip injury, the club seemed prepared to cope without turning to the transfer market. Yet, as deadline day approached, and Liverpool set for half a season without a single centre-back, the club had no choice but to act.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

So in came the calvary; in came Ozan Kabak, and in came Ben Davies.<\/a> In the space of a week, Liverpool had gone from facing the possibility of zero centre-backs to having two arrive simultaneously.<\/span><\/p>\n

You could say defenders are like buses. You wait all day for one, then two arrive at the same time.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Liverpool, like most of the time, were smart in their negotiations. Earlier in the week, Jurgen Klopp played down the Matip injury- claiming that it wasn’t as serious as first thought.\u00a0<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Once the transfers were complete, the German took to the press conference to reveal that the defender had, in fact, suffered a season-ending ankle injury.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The club knew that, if they went into negotiations with clubs knowing they were desperate for a central defender, the price would rise for whoever they were negotiating for.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Instead of looking desperate, Liverpool went into negotiations with others believing they were just after temporary cover, and Joel Matip would be back in a couple of weeks. With that in mind, the often expert negotiator, Michael Edwards, walked into talks before coming out with not one, but two central defenders for a bargain price.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Kabak signed on loan until the end of the season with the option to buy of \u00a318 million. Davies signed for a fee that could rise to \u00a32 million. A week ago, a season-ending injury for Matip could have seen Liverpool’s season derailed. One busy deadline day later, and panic has failed to ensue due to the business done.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Fabinho Likely to Be Used in Big Games<\/span><\/h3>\n

Of course, Matip’s injury is not ideal, and it will still deal Liverpool a damaging blow. In a perfect world, Matip stays fit and partners either Kabak or Davies; Fabinho<\/a> moves back into midfield, and Liverpool charge towards the title, but nothing can be perfect.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

So, as it stands, Fabinho- particularly in the big games- will likely keep his place at the heart of defence next to most likely Kabak. Or, in Jurgen Klopp’s mind, why fix something when it is not broken?<\/span><\/p>\n

Jordan Henderson<\/a> has been excellent when asked to play centre-back against Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham. So, for that reason, with Manchester City<\/a> coming up, Klopp could look towards experience once more by utilising the leadership of his captain in that position next to Fabinho.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It’s in the so-called lesser games, such as the one against Brighton, when Henderson or Fabinho will be able to crucially influence the game in midfield once more.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Liverpool have sorely lacked Fabinho’s ability in midfield to put out fires before they can show signs of becoming deadly flames. They have missed his world-class ability to break up attacks before expertly recycling the ball.<\/span><\/p>\n

Now, with Kabak and Davies in, Jurgen Klopp can utilise the Brazilian in his best position; something that could prove to be the difference-maker for the Reds.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>