Garth Crooks has faced ridicule from football fans for picking Liverpool defender Joel Matip in his Team of the Week - praising his display in a game he didn't play in as part of his reasoning.
Oh Garth. The BBC pundit alluded to Matip's performance in Liverpool vs Tottenham last Wednesday, writing: "He survived one or two scary moments but did enough against Spurs to help seal the win."
Except Matip was not even in the squad for the Reds' 2-1 victory over Jose Mourinho's side, with centre-back Rhys Williams making his Premier League debut in defence alongside Fabinho. So Matip definitely survived all of the "scary moments" by not actually setting foot on the pitch.
You think you’ve seen it all in 2020 but then Garth Crooks describes the scary moments Joël Matip had during a game he didn’t play in. No context, indeed. pic.twitter.com/Kf5INEAX2P
— Andrew Beasley (@BassTunedToRed) December 21, 2020
To be fair to Crooks, Matip DID play in the 7-0 win over Crystal Palace on Saturday, which was also referenced by the pundit, who said the 29-year-old defender gave the Eagles "nightmares on set-pieces".
The BBC Sport article has now been updated to take out any reference to Matip taking on Spurs and - let's face it - we all make mistakes.
But naturally football fans on social media were quick to spot and leap on Crooks' error.
Lmaoooo at Garth Crooks putting Matip in his TOTW for "helping to seal the win against Spurs"
— ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ (@rorysalad) December 21, 2020
Matip didn't even play against Spurs 😭😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/l2hO3EJt6U
"You think you've seen it all in 2020 but then Garth Crooks describes the scary moments Joel Matip had during a game he didn't play in," said one. "No context, indeed."
"Damn I thought I'd lost my mind for a bit there. Was scratching my head trying to remember what he did against Spurs," said another.
He is The Blueprint. Never change Garth. https://t.co/3fSDymvqs1
— Carl Anka (@Ankaman616) December 22, 2020
I had a couple of scary moments against Spurs as well.
— Lars Kruse (@LarsKruse72) December 22, 2020
Damn...I thought I’d lost my mind for bit there. Was scratching my head trying to remember what he did vs Spurs.
— William Grooms (@wwgrooms) December 22, 2020
Garth Crooks putting Matip in TOTW bc he played well in a game he didn’t play in is peak Garth Crooks 🤦🏽♂️ pic.twitter.com/INyHiX3CpP
— Rajan (@LfcRajan_) December 21, 2020
Crooks' Team of the Week has often thrown up the odd questionable selection. He's crammed some players into some very strange positions - such as in 2015, when Alexis Sanchez and Marko Arnautovic were selected as wing-backs.
Bit late to Garth's team of the week. Sanchez and Arnautovic wingbacks and De Bruyne holding. Blimey! pic.twitter.com/VdhwAHBA8O
— Mark Chapman (@markchapman) October 5, 2015
Also, back in 2012, Crooks suggested that West Brom's James Morrison might enter England manager Roy Hodgson's plans. Morrison had been a Scotland international for four years.
Add picking Matip based - at least partly - on a game he didn't even play in to the list. Garth, we have to be honest: we hope you never change.
Featured image credit: PA Images/BBC Sport
source https://www.sportbible.com/football/football-news-funny-liverpool-player-who-didnt-play-is-in-garth-crooks-team-of-the-week-20201222
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