KopTalk.com Forums Football Liverpool FC Forum What playing order do our central defenders fall into?

With the signing of Joel Matip what order will our central defenders fall into in order of priority for the 1st team.


At 6ft4 Matip will be first choice on our team sheet if only because he will be the tallest member of our squad and should be better at defending set pieces and corners with that height.


So that leaves Skrtel, Sahko, Toure, Lovren and Illori fighting for the other starting position.


I can see Skrtel being sold in the summer, has never been a favourite of mine, too prone to silly mistakes which a defender of his age and experience should never make.


I can see Toure being released as well.


That will leave us with Matip, Sahko, Lovren and Illori.

If Sahko has a great European championship, I would not be surprised to see him go if anyone matches the money we paid for him.


And if that happened I could see Subutic joining us from Dortmund.


With that scenario I would think the order would be Matip and Subutic as the first choice with Lovren as 3rd choice and Illori as the 4th choice.


If Sahko is not sold I cannot see and additional central defender coming in.

In that scenario it would be.

1st Matip
2nd Lovren
3rd Sahko
4th Illori.


Your views.

Fully agree with your ranking list, but I'm not sure Ilori should even be on the list though no? Gomez instead?

I know people on this forum like Sakho. Sakho in a back 3 in open play, or in a 433 I can just about tolerate because of his direct passing. Sakho in the air generally, or close to an attacker, no chance.

You forgot Gomez. He looked like he had a great future. Much better than Ilori anyway.

I did forget Gomez, depends on his recovery from his long term injury as well.

At the moment would probably rank Illori and Gomez at the same level though, Gomez has never played in the top flight at central defence. BR only played him as a fullback.

It will be Matip and Sakho. I really like Gomez also, if he can get fit and gets chances he has the ability to take Sakho's place. I can't speak for Matip because I don't know how good he is. Lovren has improved lately so deserves a chance as 4th Cb with Wisdom as cover there and right back. Hopefully Skrtel is going, It amazes me he's still at the club. His defending has been abysmal ever since he signed and as far as I'm concerned he's one of the main reasons our defence has been awful for the last 6-7 years.

I know this is slightly off at a tangent, and it probably belongs on the Matip thread itself, but apparently sometimes Matip's decision making isn't the best. Defenders with poorer decision making go well alongside good shot blockers. Which obviously I don't think Sakho is, so whoever the centre back partnership is, they are going to have to play well together. Skrtel and Matip is probably our best combination, even if it might be time up for our long standing centre back.

I would go with that but with Gomas instead of illori. If Matip is to come in as first choice then we have too many defenders around the same level and with Sahko I'd say if he does have a good euro then there will be interest and we will get the most money for him. I'd sell Sakho if we got good money. Skrtel as well only if we get in 1 better placement for the two. Lovern I would give 3rd choice and if he did not improve, then I would look to sell in January. iLLori maybe give a season/Jan and out the door if he does not improve.

It will absolutely defy belief if a club pays anywhere near the fee we did for Sakho. He is a good athlete and nice guy but possesses no footballing qualities whatsoever.

Also is it just me or does anyone else find it annoying that so many people can't spell our own players' names??

Disagree on Sakho. He has awkward-looking legs, but he is a very good passer and has good control of the ball. He's been a little off since coming back, but he's leveling out. His possession/take-ons/tackles/duels stats have been very consistent for his time here, other than a few games following injury.

Really?? Klopp rates Mignolet so he probably likens Skrtel to Maldini!