It is oh so easy to get carried away when throwing praise on Liverpool’s backline to get carried away with Virgil van Dijk, and even after that point you’ve got the industrious Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold. However, Empire of the Kop have been throwing praise at Joel Matip, who has been class when needed this season.
Boss little vent on Reddit about Joel Matip pic.twitter.com/aQoOJl0pmS
— Empire of the Kop (@empireofthekop) March 24, 2019
The Reds’ Cameroonian international centre-back may just be one of the coyest coups of the Jurgen Klopp era. He came in on a free transfer from Schalke and during the Anfield days before Van Dijk he was one of the main men at the back. It helps that at 6 foot five inches he can dominate in the air when needed to, but it is a true statement that Matip’s received little in the way of plaudits this season.
That is something that the Kopites want to see change, and whilst Joe Gomez will likely come back into the fold to partner Virgil van Dijk once he’s fully recovered from his injury, Matip is doing a fine job of holding the fort. If anything he’s outperforming expectations, and long it may continue as the Reds continue to fight for both the Premier League and Champions League this season.
You can read the Reds’ thoughts on Matip here:
https://twitter.com/MGL_JBone/status/1109881844747722752
Matip is underrated. Every game I say well done Matip at least 5 times. Doesn’t get enough credit that tree
— Colossal (@BigColossa) March 24, 2019
He's our new Henchoz to our new Hyypia
— David Jenkin #IStandWithJeremyCorbyn (@djenkinfitness) March 24, 2019
https://twitter.com/Monstaza/status/1109882653396946944
Especially considering we got him for free
— YNWA_66 (@YNWA_66) March 25, 2019
https://twitter.com/DoranOne/status/1109888757166235648
Matip is decent and will happily say well done to him when he plays well. But he seems to be too awkward or nervous with good few errors in him. Worried when he’s on the ball that a mistake will happen
— Craig McCracken (@CraigMcC5) 24 March 2019
Some Liverpool fans have their worries over Matip but for the most part the Anfield faithful are behind the Cameroonian defender.
