Kostas Tsimikas says Liverpool have a defender who’s just ‘like Ronaldinho’

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Kostas Tsimikas has lauded Liverpool teammate Joel Matip for playing just like Brazilian legend Ronaldinho.

The two Reds players took part in a promotional video for Liverpool on their Twitter page this afternoon. Promoting plant-based food brand Quorn, Tsimikas and Matip provided some commentary for the Reds’ 2-1 win over Southampton last season.

It was a good match for the pair to cover, with Tsimikas setting up the game’s winning goal for Matip. But before that, Big Joel could be seen gliding through the Saints half in trademark fashion.

“This is the main guy mate. Look at him, look at him!” shouted the excited Tsimikas. “There’s nothing to look at,” replied Matip. But Kostas disagreed.

“He’s like Ronaldinho, he’s like Ronaldinho. I never saw this in my life,” raved the Greek.

Later, having seen Matip bag the winning goal with a looping header from his corner, Tsimikas was equally effusive in his praise of the big man.

“This guy is just perfect, just perfect,” he said. “This guy is unbelievable, this is genius.”

Tsimikas sends Matip reminder

Watching this game from last year back, you can see just how good Matip was. We haven’t been treated to it nearly as often this campaign, but during 2021/22, the 31-year-old was amazing at bringing the ball out from the back.

So often his mazy dribbles forward helped Liverpool break the deadlock in tight games. With plenty of teams sitting deep in a low block against the Reds, there were times when they needed Matip to give them that X factor in attack.

That might sound a little bit bizarre. But the centre-back played the part so well. Drifting forward through opposing midfields, Joel was brilliant at finding the perfect pass at the perfect time.

Not quite Ronaldinho perhaps, but he really does deserve credit for how well he uses the ball. There aren’t many centre-backs who can boast that kind of prowess.

As he potentially prepares to exit Liverpool this summer, this is how he should be remembered. It hasn’t been the easiest of season’s for Matip, as Ibrahima Konate has taken his regular place in the starting XI.

But no matter his struggles of the last 12 months, there was a period last season where our No.32 was one of the best centre-backs in Europe.

If he is to move on in the coming weeks and months, it’s unlikely Liverpool will replace his skillset anytime soon.