OPINION
Liverpool defender Joel Matip is not usually Jurgen Klopp’s first choice for the centre-back role – after all, Joe Gomez really impressed at the start of the season alongside Virgil Van Dijk until he got injured in December. Matip did not really get a look-in at this point, but this display in the 5-0 win over Watford on Wednesday showed why he is worthy of a place in the team. This section of Reds supporters seem like that they are in awe of his performance, and to be honest, you cannot blame them. Liverpool may not have had too much to do in terms of defensive work, but Matip really showed his credentials when going forward. Two of the fans even compared him to Barcelona star Lionel Messi – something which seems rather far fetched at first, but it does sum up the contribution he made on the night. Overall, this was a promising display from Matip, and it bodes very well for him.
Live 4 Liverpool has rounded up some of the best tweets below:
https://twitter.com/CleYNWA/status/1100867115551199246
Trent, Mane, Fabinho and Virgil deserve all the plaudits. But please mention Origi and Matip as well, they were immense. Matip and Virgil looking solid as a partnership #LFC
— Jay Seth (@SND_MND) February 28, 2019
How good was Joel matip tho? Class in defence all game today.
— Karan (@kannuJK) February 27, 2019
https://twitter.com/decZ109/status/1100880393832677377
Anyone noticed how much matip has stepped up his game? He’s been immense the mast few games hard to see gomez or dejan coming back in and taking that spot unless he has a bad run of games
— Daniel (@daniel_ambridge) February 27, 2019
https://twitter.com/UtkarshJos/status/1100858456037314560
https://twitter.com/TheDoublePivots/status/1100880307866222592
Trent, Salah, Mane, Matip, all having a blinder here. Really good response from Sunday.
— Ben Kelly (@bkelly776) February 27, 2019
Joel Matip is one of a kind. You don’t see CB’s like him turn into Messi and make darting runs in midfield.
— Samuel (@SamueILFC) February 24, 2019
