Virgil Van Dijk has claimed that he knew Joel Matip was going to score for Liverpool last night.
Van Dijk was speaking to LFCTV GO after Liverpool thrashed Leeds United 6-0.
The centre back praised Matip’s ability to run forward with the ball, as he scored The Reds second goal of the game.
“It’s a big quality of his [Matip’s], I wish I had that quality at times. He just can go without any fear and hope for the best a little bit,” said Van Dijk.
“He has that quality, it’s a big strength of his and it’s useful because it drags other players from their positions and today the space was there to make that run and finish off.”
It’s something we’ve become accustomed to seeing from Matip over the years. But this season he seems to have kicked his marauding runs forward up a notch.
The Cameroonian made it look so easy as he exchanged passes with Mohamed Salah and dinked a lovely finish over Ilan Meslier.
Premonitions of glory
Van Dijk has now claimed that he knew his teammate was going to score.
Matip provided a delightful outside of the boot assist for Diogo Jota in Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Leicester earlier this month.
According to Virgil, that was the moment he knew a goal was on the cards for his centre-back partner.
“I said to him before the game I felt it coming because he had an assist for Diogo and I said a goal is next, so obviously very happy for him, very happy.”
Can I have next week’s lottery numbers please, Virg!
Matip makes his mark
At times this season it has felt like Matip has been the most likely source of a goal for Liverpool.
His ability to slalom towards the edge of an opponents box is a great weapon for Jurgen Klopp to have. Against Leeds’ man to man marking system, the defence just didn’t know what to do with the number 32.
After an injury-hit couple of seasons, the 30-year-old has undoubtedly been one of Liverpool’s best players this time around.
His partnership with Van Dijk is a huge reason for Liverpool reigniting their title charge.
The Reds have now kept seven clean sheets in the last ten games. Matip and Van Dijk have been partners for five of those games.
The Dutchman also has two goals in that time. His booming header last night was something of a more traditional centre-back’s goal than his teammate’s.
Despite a very promising debut season for Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez’s quality, the pair are undisputedly Klopp’s first-choice partnership.
Matip is already a cult hero at Liverpool for his often comedic performances off the pitch, if he keeps this kind of form up, he’ll soon become a legend for his displays on it.
Receive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox
