Self-critical Liverpool star aims for improvement

Rob McCarthy
Joel Matip: Close to a return

Joel Matip: Close to a return

Liverpool centre-back Joel Matip insists he will improve ahead of his second season at Anfield.

The Reds snapped up Matip from German outfit Schalke on a free last summer and the Cameroon star had a solid first season in the Premier League.

The 25-year-old started 15 of the last 16 games of the season, forming a solid looking partnership with Dejan Lovren as the Reds finished fourth in the table to earn a Champions League place.

Matip overcame a tough start to life in England before getting to grips with English football and feels he can only improve on his opening campaign.

“Before I came here I knew about the Premier League. I saw a lot of games and I had an idea what to expect,” Matip told LiverpoolFC.com.

“So I prepared right from the beginning. Maybe the top teams try to play a bit more, but every team gives everything in this league.

“But I am very self-critical as well. I always want to improve myself. You have to work hard and keep trying and learning – that’s the way you get better.”