OPINION
One of the biggest positives surrounding Liverpool this season was the emergence of their defence under Jurgen Klopp.
New goalkeeper Alisson Becker, with the help of his back four, managed to win the Premier League golden glove award after keeping more than 20 clean sheets.
At the other end of the pitch, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson combined for 23 assists in the league as they become the two most desirable full-backs in the country.
Alongside the obvious success of Virgil van Dijk, the emergence of Joel Matip was one of the biggest success stories at Anfield. The 27-year-old made 31 appearances for the Reds this season and played a pivotal role in Liverpool’s Champions League victory over Barcelona.
Despite Matip’s performances towards the end of the campaign, Stuart Pearce claimed that should Joe Gomez be fully fit at the beginning of next season, then he will play in every single game next to Van Dijk.
Speaking on Sky Sports News (Thursday, May 13th, 1:05 pm) Pearce believed that Gomez will be in pole position to start next season, saying: “They’ve got Gomez to come back, who I expect if he’s fully fit to play every game, and him and Van Dijk at the heart of defence would be sensational.”
This would definitely be an injustice towards the 27 cap Cameroon international, who has been phenomenal this season after joining from Schalke on a free transfer in 2016.
The defender has improved drastically this season, with his ability to bring the ball forward from deep having benefitted Liverpool immensely when the Reds are starting attacks.
Jurgen Klopp’s has instilled a more intense possession-based style of football since his arrival, and Matip certainly slots into that brand easily.
With the Reds’ defense key to starting these moves, Matip averages marginally less than 12 more passes a game [Whoscored] in the Premier League than Gomez (49.2), with the 27-year-old enforcer making 61 on average.
The defender also makes one more tackle on average than Gomez per game, while making one more clearance, proving his defensive worth certainly goes under-the-radar.
Matip surely must be in pole position to partner Van Dijk next season, with Gomez surely having to settle for a place on the bench in the first few Premier League games next season.
