Liverpool got their Champions League campaign up and running after Joel Matip scored a crucial late winner against Ajax, with fans calling for the big centre-back to win this year’s Ballon d’Or award!
Matip was one of four players to come into the team following the defeat to Napoli last week, and was one of Liverpool’s standout performers throughout.
His goal came as he headed home from a corner late on, with replays showing his effort had crossed the line before Ajax could clear.
It goes down as a huge win for the Reds, who were in desperate need of a positive result after a humiliating night in Naples last week.
Thiago, too, was excellent, but it’s Matip who rightly gets the plaudits.
JOOEEEELLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!! pic.twitter.com/AdPS4bPKMo
— Henry Jackson (@HenryJackson87) September 13, 2022
Yes! Finally one of those many chances from setpieces pays dividends.
— Red (@TaintlessRed) September 13, 2022
I adore him. Big Joël Matip.
— Ben Webb (@BenWebbLFC) September 13, 2022
That’s a #LFC side I recognise.
Attitude spot on, shape far better, intensity in spades & grafted until they got the winner. Still plenty to work on but thought Tsimikas & Fabinho were outstanding, Diaz tireless & the CBs dominant.
— Hari Sethi (@Hari_Sethi) September 13, 2022
A much needed win after a really difficult couple of weeks. Thiago & Matip both made a huge difference. Great to have Jota back too. Darwin is an interesting one, there are certainly glimpses of how dangerous he can be, but the team are still working out how & when to use him.
— LFC Round Up (@LFCroundup) September 13, 2022
Mood: pic.twitter.com/YRxUd6jUy4
— Ben Webb (@BenWebbLFC) September 13, 2022
Massive win that. And absolutely deserved. Up the back in Champions League business Reds #LFC #UCL #LIVAJA
— Chris Mac (@chrismackop) September 13, 2022
A thoroughly deserved winner. Liverpool miles better than they’ve been in some time. Pressing, creativity, intensity. As key as Thiago is, Jota was also instrumental. Matip superb and so key to the build up. Tsimikas phenomenal. Diaz never, ever stopped running. A big win.
— Leanne Prescott (@_lfcleanne) September 13, 2022
Well that felt much better, a lot more fight and intensity. Matip, Tsimikas and Thiago all improved us massively.
Sometimes when you’re in a rut you need to grind out a few results hopefully that’s the catalyst now.
— Dinesh Kumar (@DHardayal) September 13, 2022
At last! 9 chances created between the two full backs and we finally make one of those headers at set pieces count.
— LFC Stats (@LFCData) September 13, 2022
He’s played brilliant tonight. Well in Joel lad. Big goal that. #LFC
— Dan Roach (@DanielRoachLFC) September 13, 2022
Four minutes added on. Liverpool lead 2-1 thanks to a BULLET header from Ballon d’Or winner 2023, Job Joel Andre Matip
— The Redmen TV (@TheRedmenTV) September 13, 2022
Joël ??
— Andrew Beasley ? (@BassTunedToRed) September 13, 2022
A good way for Liverpool to go into a 17-day break with no game, then.
And fitting that Matip, who made a real impact on Liverpool’s overall performance tonight, was the man who got the winner.
Up the Reds!
