The difference between Liverpool now and in the pre-Virgil van Dijk era is astonishing, to say the least.

The world’s most expensive defender has lived up to the massive transfer fee Liverpool shelled out for him in December of 2017, and although van Dijk has grabbed the headlines this season and has asserted himself as one of the best centre-backs in world football, little has been said about his defensive partner Joel Matip.

The Cameroonian international has quietly built up a good reputation for himself in recent months with Joe Gomez out of the sideline with injury. Matip was once seen as Liverpool’s defensive saviour when he joined the Reds from Schalke on a free in 2016, and although on his own the defender has not set the Premier League alight, partnered with van Dijk the duo have been one of the best centre-back pairings in Europe.

And with reports from Football Insider emerging that the defender is set to be offered a new deal for his improved performances this season, it is likely we will see Matip take the number one spot in the Liverpool team for being the man to play alongside van Dijk in the starting XI.

There’s no question that long-term Gomez will be the player to lead the Liverpool backline, but for now, Matip has won over Jurgen Klopp and the Reds fans as the man to partner alongside van Dijk, and a new deal will be a testament to that statement.

Liverpool fans, has Matip been van Dijk's best partner this season? Let us know!