Joe Gomez vs Matip. The better option for LFC? Here's a quick look at Van Dijk's two most common partnership of the last 2 seasons.

It is, of course, not the full story, but we can have some idea found to make a distinction between Matip and Joe Gomez.

It's no surprise that Matip wins far more headers, as well as having close to a 90% aerial win rate. But Joe Gomez isn't too far behind. Also:

Most headers Matip won in a game: 13
Most headers Gomez won in a game: 11

While Matip completes more tackles per game, he also gets beat by an attacker more often than Gomez, who seems to only get dribbled past by once every other game. This probably has to do with Matip's height and awkward center of gravity if anything tbh.

One thing I should note is that they are decent on the ball, but it looks to me that Matip is more progressive. Check out Matip vs Cardiff City here.


In fact, last season, he led all other center backs in Europe's Top 5 Leagues for progressive dribbling.

It really doesn't have to be a 1-size-fits-all situation. LFC can continue playing them both, depending on the opponent and fitness situation. One seems to always be injured while the other plays (also the reason we get such a balanced sample size for both players).

For most games, however, it seems Matip is the ideal center back for Klopp's system. His height, strength, and progressiveness on the ball compensates him getting beat every once in a while. Gomez, on the other hand, is definitely for the future. He is only 23 and ever improving.

I'm aware that there are many other factors to consider. Correlation is not always causation, even with a decent sample size. Also:
- counted Bayern 0-0 LFC w/ no VVD
- did not count Barca 3-0 LFC because Joe Gomez + Matip both played 90 minutes with Gomez at RB.