---
title: "Liverpool fans take to Twitter to call for Matip stay despite Gomez’s return"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/liverpool-fans-take-to-twitter-to-call-for-matip-stay-despite-gomezs-return/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Ally Darlow"
section: "Liverpool Football Club"
published: "2019-03-27T14:15:53Z"
modified: "2019-03-27T14:15:53Z"
---

# Liverpool fans take to Twitter to call for Matip stay despite Gomez’s return

**There is only one central defender at Liverpool who simply cannot be usurped and that is Virgil van Dijk. After the Dutchman, though, the arguments start over who should be his partner. Dejan Lovren is out of the argument, leaving the in-form Joel Matip and the returning Joe Gomez to battle for the last spot, and the Reds want the form man to stay.**

> Considering Matip’s performances, does Gomez walk back into the starting XI? [https://t.co/cruPXwW6Zu](https://t.co/cruPXwW6Zu)
>
> — Empire of the Kop (@empireofthekop) [27 March 2019](https://twitter.com/empireofthekop/status/1110811912181370880?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

As you can imagine, the differences in opinion are huge. Both Gomez and Matip are very talented central defenders and have both shown that they can be more than good enough to partner up with Van Dijk and play the role of the second in command at the back to the fearsome Dutchman. However, considering that Gomez is only just returning, it would make sense to leave Matip in for now.

The Cameroonian defender has shown time and time again that he can do a job at the back. He has the pace, strength and ability in the air to dominate alongside VVD, and with Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday the opposition, the last thing that the Reds want is to see the rusty Joe Gomez come in for what could prove to be a massive game and let his lack of match sharpness cost them.

With that in mind, you can read the Kopites’ calls for Matip to keep his place here:

https://twitter.com/LanMakTeh/status/1110824323088957440

> Not for me. Matip has been decent and really stepped up along side as VVD. He deserves to be playing at the moment.
>
> — Suth (@dannysuth4) [March 27, 2019](https://twitter.com/dannysuth4/status/1110823736427597826?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Don't rush him back.
>
> — Maurice Roche (@rocheman99) [March 27, 2019](https://twitter.com/rocheman99/status/1110817695027605504?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Matip playing as well as we’ve seen him in a red shirt for a stretch of games and if he’s dropped it sends a bad message about effort and form, for me. Difficult one tho. Gomez is obviously 1st choice.
>
> — Joe (@sozjoe) [March 27, 2019](https://twitter.com/sozjoe/status/1110830633520115713?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> No not yet , Matip is doing fine at the moment , he most likely comes back in v Porto at LB in Robbos place & we go from there .
>
> — Mane’s MASSIVE Member 16” Baby (@SadiosSuprSnake) [27 March 2019](https://twitter.com/SadiosSuprSnake/status/1110812291254112256?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> No keep Matip for now.
>
> — ⭐️⭐️⭐️Rob ²⁰ ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@RubberToe1985) [March 27, 2019](https://twitter.com/RubberToe1985/status/1110823725841162242?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

https://twitter.com/AarontwoAs/status/1110837058673799169

https://twitter.com/nmilton29/status/1110820139803529216

The Reds are more than happy to leave Matip in for now and will only risk Gomez when he’s got more training sessions and a few substitute appearances under his belt.