Jurgen Klopp has claimed that Joel Matip can play even better than he currently is for Liverpool.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference via Liverpool Echo, Klopp hailed the 30-year-old’s consistency.
“Is Matip in his best form? No. Most ‘obvious’ form as he’s scored and assisting and defending but he is so consistent,” said Klopp.
“He won Player of the Month, that’s great. Long, long, long may it continue.”
Monster Matip
Matip has played a big part in Liverpool’s brilliant form this season. As Klopp mentions, the centre-back won the Premier League Player of the Month award for his performances in February.
His delightful assist for Luis Diaz against Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday was the latest in a string of memorable Matip moments.
Many of those moments have come off the field too. Matip pounding Jordan Henderson’s head after Liverpool had taken the lead in San Siro will live long in the memory.
It may be because of funny incidents like these that Matip remains underrated by many. No footballer wants their best moments to come away from the pitch.
A world-class partnership
In all likelihood though, Matip being overlooked is probably more a case of playing alongside one of the greatest defenders of modern times, Virgil Van Dijk.
Van Dijk makes everything look easy, and any slight shortcoming from players around him can be magnified as a result.
But as Garth Crooks pointed out whilst including him in his Team of the Week yesterday, Matip is even starting to outperform his defensive partner.
There’s no doubt that the two players now form a part of what Klopp would consider to be his strongest eleven.
That Matip has fought his way back from several long-term injuries to regain his place in the team should also be strongly commended.
His talents are finally getting the recognition they deserve. It’s clear that the whole of the football world can now see what we’ve been seeing for years: Joel Matip is world-class.
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