Rio Ferdinand is a legend of the sport. As much as we hate to admit it, he is one of the greatest centre backs the English game has seen. When he speaks about defending, we should listen. So it is all the sweeter when he is heaping praise on Joel Matip. Speaking ahead of the Reds’ defeat to Napoli at the Stadio San Paolo, the former England international analysed the Reds’ defence.
In comments made on BT Sport on the 17th of September 2019, Ferdinand said: “he’s been immense”. The Cameroonian centre back had to bide his time to become a regular starter at Liverpool following his free transfer from Schalke in 2016. After a horror tackle against Burnley last season, the Reds’ first choice partner for Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, was left with a broken leg. Matip stepped into the first team and he hasn’t looked back since, improving with every game alongside the big Dutchman.
Ferdinand believes that the former Bundesliga defender is Van Dijk’s ideal partner in defence, saying “It’s the best relationship between centre-halves at the club”. He was emphatic in his assessment as he continued, “And I think he is a really really really good partner for Van Dijk.”
The pundit echoed a sentiment that goes believed but unsaid by a lot of the Anfield faithful – the player is as good as his centre half partner on many occasions, “He has played as well as Van Dijk in a lot of games but he just doesn’t get noticed”.
It is positive that the defender, snubbed in the FIFA world team of the year shortlist, is finally receiving the plaudits he deserves. The towering centre back was crucial in Liverpool’s Champions League triumph and he deserves the praise being heaped on him.
Receive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox
