OPINION
With Virgil Van Dijk and Joe Gomez cemented as Jurgen Klopp’s preferred centre-back pairing for Liverpool, Joel Matip’s career at Anfield was beginning to look pretty bleak.
The likelihood of him usurping either player for a spot in the starting XI while they were at their peak were pretty slim, as both defenders were getting plaudits for their performances left, right and centre.
However, with Gomez currently out with an injury, it is up to Matip to fill in for him – and it is the perfect chance for him to throw down the gauntlet and stake his claim to Klopp that he is worthy of a regular first-team place.
He was solid against Bournemouth on Saturday, but the game he must do this in is their Champions League encounter against Napoli on Tuesday.
What better chance does the £70,000-a-week [Spotrac] ace have to prove that he is worth Klopp’s time?
Napoli will obviously prove to be a sterner test for the 27-year-old, but coming out the other end with an impressive display will really prove his credentials – and possibly even give Klopp a major selection headache.
Not every top Premier League team is blessed with such talented centre-backs, but fortunately for the manager, that is exactly the case at Liverpool, especially with Matip throwing his name into the mix.
In fact, Gomez’ injury is a blessing in disguise for the enforcer, as he would not be getting such a perfect opportunity otherwise.
He is capable of a lot more, and the only way of unleashing that talent is by throwing him in the deep end in a must-win game against the Italians on Tuesday – if he is started that is.
The ball is now in his court to throw down the gauntlet – so over to you, Matip.
