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‘Dropped off’: Liverpool fans call for Joe Gomez to replace Joel Matip after Napoli loss

Lee Clarke

Mon 29 July 2019 8:45, UK

Liverpool suffered a 3-0 defeat against Carlo Ancelotti’s Napoli in their latest pre-season contest.

The game which was played at Murrayfield was settled thanks to goals by Lorenzo Insigne, Arkadiusz Milik and Amin Younes.

It hasn’t been a pre-season which will have Liverpool supporters chomping at the bit to get their season underway.

Liverpool have beaten Tranmere and Bradford but lost to Sevilla and Dortmund, with their only draw coming against Sporting Lisbon.

Of course, pre-season isn’t really about results. The Reds boss Jurgen Klopp will have enjoyed the chance to have a look at some youngsters and fringe players during the friendly matches.

Alisson Becker, Mo Salah and Sadio Mane all return to pre-season training today and Klopp will hope they are fit for the first game of the season.

Joel Matip came in for some criticism yesterday. The Cameroonian defender was a standout performer last season, but it appears some feel Klopp now has better options.

Some Liverpool fans would love to see the returning Joe Gomez partner Virgil van Dijk in central defence.

The versatile performer arrived at Anfield from Charlton in 2015 for £3.5 million ) but was injured for most of last season.

Here is a selection of tweets regarding the defensive conundrum facing Klopp ahead of the season opener in a fortnight’s time:

http://twitter.com/ctrIfc/status/1155516518660235266?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1155516518660235266&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hitc.com%2Fen-gb%2F2019%2F07%2F28%2Fliverpol-fans-react-to-joel-matips-display-vs-napoli%2F

Matip looks like he’s dropped off completely, get Gomez back in ASAP

— Mack🇯🇲 (@Virgil4i)

http://twitter.com/JayD_deOne/status/1155516772864278530?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1155516772864278530&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hitc.com%2Fen-gb%2F2019%2F07%2F28%2Fliverpol-fans-react-to-joel-matips-display-vs-napoli%2F

Matip is a sound enough squad player, but Gomez should be starting in that position long-term. Both Insigne & Milik’s goals can be dealt with by Matip.

— LFC Round Up (@LFCroundup)

quick question, he started Matip and brought Lovren on. But where on earth is Gomez??? Surely he's ahead of Lovren at CB. come on Jurgen.

— TalkingRed BLM ⭐️19⭐️ LEAGUE CHAMPIONS (@TalkingRed23)

http://twitter.com/LewisEdward08/status/1155526292609077250?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1155526292609077250&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hitc.com%2Fen-gb%2F2019%2F07%2F28%2Fliverpol-fans-react-to-joel-matips-display-vs-napoli%2F

Gomez is defo better than matip no doubt

— EG (@ItsEronG)

Joe Gomez keeping Insigne on his left. Has to start the season at CB beside Virgil.

— Scott G (@BornThwippy)