Gary Lineker has hailed Liverpool defender Joel Matip, claiming he is “hugely influential” for the Reds.
The £100,000-a-week Cameroonian [Spotrac] has established himself as Jurgen Klopp’s number one choice as a partner for Virgil Van Dijk at the heart of defence, and Lineker has been quick to point out just how significant he has become.
Speaking on Match of the Day (BBC One, Saturday September 28th, 10.30pm), he said: “Klopp talked in the week, funnily enough, about Joel Matip, saying what a bargain he’s been.
“Obviously, he was a free signing, and he’s come in and he’s been hugely influential since the start of the season.”
How good has Matip been this season?
For a while, Matip struggled to establish himself as a regular in this Liverpool side, and had to compete with Dejan Lovren and Joe Gomez for a starting berth.
Ever since Gomez broke his leg against Burnley last December, however, he has seen his profile rise and rise at Anfield.
Lineker is right – he has been a really important presence for the Reds so far this term.
In fact, this season, he has arguably been better than Virgil Van Dijk.
As per Whoscored, Matip has made more tackles, more interceptions, and more clearances per game in the Premier League, and has even averaged a higher match rating – registering 7.63 to Van Dijk’s 7.43.
And Lineker isn’t the only one impressed with his ascension.
Manager Klopp also hailed him as one of his best pieces of business as Liverpool boss earlier in the week, as quoted in the Daily Mail.
Pundit Garth Crooks has also come out with praise for the 28-year-old, suggesting that he has been “outstanding” so far this season, as quoted by BBC Sport, while Rio Ferdinand has also hailed him for his unsung contributions already this season on BT Sport, as quoted by Live4Liverpool.
Clearly, this is a big season for Matip, and he is seizing his opportunity with both hands.