Liverpool defender Joel Matip believes the signing of Wataru Endo will see a change in the club’s defence as they adapt to the new hybrid formation.
The Reds lost Fabinho and Jordan Henderson last month after completing their moves to Saudi Arabia – leaving the club without any specialised defensive midfielder.
Though 18-year-old Stefan Bajcetic is still at the club, he is yet to make an appearance for Liverpool after just returning to full training.
Liverpool missed on both Moisés Caicedo and Romeo Lavia to Chelsea therefore they turned to Endo who impressed in his debut against Bournemouth last Saturday.
“Different kinds of players will now play in front of us and everybody needs to adapt and maybe change, but we will try to help each other,” Matip said speaking to the official Liverpool matchday programme.Â
“As centre-backs we always have a close connection to our six – the guy who plays in front of you – and it will be no different now. We need to help the six and the six needs to help us.”
The former Cameroon international is yet to feature for Liverpool this season having been an unused substitute in the opening weekend 1-1 draw at Chelsea and the 3-1 home win over Cherries.
The 32-year-old featured in only two of the final 10 games of last season as the Reds finished 5th in the Premier League table.
“It is obviously a different kind of situation for me now and I need to adapt,” he said. “I think it will get better and better in the season.
“For sure, I have to think of different things on the pitch because the right-back will not be there in the first moment. We need to adapt, but at the same time we have got some more players and some new players in the midfield.
“There are always some pros and cons, but there is no perfect system. It’s how we live the system that we are playing and I feel confident of our system.”
The defender added: “I have had some good times here and some times when I’ve been unlucky with injuries, but I have always tried to come back and show my best self. That is what I want to do again this season.”
Liverpool have lost six senior players this summer as Jurgen Klopp looks to revamp his squad.
“I think it is normal before a season to lose some players and sign some new ones, Matip concluded.
“We lost a lot of quality, but we also received some amazing players. Everybody needs to step in now to fill the gaps now that some players have left and I am looking forward to this. I feel confident we can do this.
“We always had some great set-piece takers, but with Dominik we have got so much additional quality. Maybe he can slot into the team and then we’ve got even more options from set-pieces.
“Hopefully I can keep my run going of scoring every season for Liverpool and hopefully I can do it more than once. Of course, it is if you can get opportunities from set-pieces so maybe this is my chance to put some more in. It always helps the team to score goals and hopefully I can help the team again in this way.”
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