Stuttering early season form, disjointed displays, languid body language and a heavy defeat in Naples.
A number of contributing factors left the Anfield faithful feeling extremely tense as a Champions League clash with Ajax neared an end.
With the game hanging in the balance at 1-1, Liverpool were in need of a hero.
Would Mohamed Salah slot in a cool finish, would Fabinho fire in a long-range rocket, would Luis Díaz beat his man and find the bottom corner?
No! It would be a bullet header from Joel Matip of all people to release an enormous amount of tension in Anfield.
BIG JOEL MATIP!!!!!!!!!!!! GET IN!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/N9QQRcHseU
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) September 13, 2022
A first start since returning from injury for the centre-back saw him turn match winner with his powerful header crossing the line comfortably before the defender could stop it.
A passion-filled celebration would follow from the much-loved defender as the Reds got their first three points on the board.
Throughout the game, Matip was confident and brave on the ball as he looked to drive his team forward.
He is a unique centre-back because he is more than capable of stepping into the midfield and find very useful passes in the opposition’s half.
Constantly looking to break the lines in the first half, things just weren’t quite coming off for the front three.
There was not much that Matip could do about the Ajax goal as he attempted to cover for an out of position Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Having been dragged out of position cleverly by the Dutch side, they were able to exploit the space in the middle and equalise.
👏 Joel Matip appreciation post #LFC pic.twitter.com/Aydx74IkXe
— Liverpool FC News (@LivEchoLFC) September 13, 2022
The home side were the better side by some margin but the ball just wouldn’t quite fall in the right place.
Matip looked for large parts of the second half like the biggest goal threat in the team.
Driving past midfielders as if they aren’t there, playing precise passes into feet and even dancing through challenges; this was a classic Joel Matip display.
Completing 2 long passes and having the 3rd highest number of passes in the Liverpool team shows how often he had the ball.
A massive header from Joel Matip to secure Liverpool's first three points of the #UCL campaign! 💪 pic.twitter.com/2F4sNq31No
— 90min (@90min_Football) September 13, 2022
Following the match-deciding goal, Matip and Virgil Van Dijk spoke to BT Sport as the pair were visibly delighted.
Matip told BT Sport: “I had a few opportunities before and I was happy that I could score”.
Virgil van Dijk (8/9) and Joel Matip (7/8) won 15 of their 17 aerial duels against Ajax.
They also had 16 touches in the opposition box between them and had seven of Liverpool's 24 shots. 🤯#UCL pic.twitter.com/5uVUgp9ZFf
— Squawka (@Squawka) September 13, 2022
Chuckling along in the background was his centre-back partner Van Dijk who labelled Matip as the hero with the title “the one and only Joel Matip!”
Van Dijk himself looks a lot more comfortable with the presence of Matip by his side.
Clearly a popular figure in the dressing room, Matip is a wonderful football player that never seems to miss a beat.
https://twitter.com/roadmanrry/status/1569795531844599810?s=46&t=FdCsjVDbtFg1c585SNBWSg
Joel will be looking forward to a well-earned break as his teammates head away for international duty.
The former Cameroon international branded Tuesday night as “a tough game” but was thrilled at the “happy ending” for his side.
