OPINION
Even when Liverpool have been snuffing out some of the most feted attacks in Europe – Bayern Munich and Manchester United, to name two – Joel Matip has been the scapegoat for some wobbling attacking performances. Given that the giant Cameroonian’s primary role is to defend, that has been a little odd, although it is perhaps partly because Joe Gomez was so outstanding in the opening months of the season, and Virgil van Dijk has developed into the finest centre-back on the planet, anyone else is going to pale in comparison. Matip might be the third best centre-back on Liverpool’s books – he is more reliable and effective than the occasionally heroic but brittle and fallible Dejan Lovren – but that does not mean he is not an essential player in the title-chasing side. Matip was excellent in Wednesday’s 5-0 demolition of Watford, a fourth consecutive clean sheet in which he has played an integral role, and fans hailed a “sensational” performance from a “beast” who is the “definition of underrated”.
This Is Futbol has rounded up some of the best tweets below:
https://twitter.com/decZ109/status/1100880393832677377
And Matip's dropped a solid 10/10 https://t.co/giRTtNNNRg
— ?? (@zankuteacher) February 27, 2019
Gone really under the radar IMO, but Joel Matip has been great since he’s come into the team. Hasn’t put a foot wrong. Underrated player. #LFC
— Lewis Barton (@lewisbarton_) February 27, 2019
Joel Matip is the most underrated player in this team #LFC #LIVWAT
— Jim (@Jimothey1) February 27, 2019
https://twitter.com/ConroyDion/status/1100890124890587136
https://twitter.com/decZ109/status/1100879907591213056
Not seeing Matip mentioned much. Solid all game, had a prime tackle/interception in the box 1st half. Playing superb lately, a fantastic compliment to the Dutch colossus.#LFC
— Toro (@Toro_LFC) February 27, 2019
https://twitter.com/TheDoublePivots/status/1100880307866222592
https://twitter.com/aj_h92/status/1100880317966110720
Matip has been sooo good I almost forgot he was one time 4th choice CB
— NWA CHI NE EMELU (@Sanematic) February 27, 2019
Another solid performance from Joel Matip tonight. Getting a run off games together and is looking like the player he was when he 1st joined us. #LFC
— Jonathan Fowler (@JonathanFowle10) February 27, 2019
Alisson, Van Dijk, Robertson and TAA will get all the plaudits and rightly so but can we appreciate Joel Matip who has been absolutely brilliant since coming into the team.
— – (@AnfieldRd96) February 27, 2019