Liverpool defender wins praise for his performance.
Liverpool’s defence has been the key to their success this season as they close in on the title.
The Reds chalked up another clean sheet against Cardiff City in a 2-0 away win on Sunday afternoon.
Two Liverpool centre-backs were named by Garth Crooks in the BBC team of the week.
Crooks feels that Joel Matip on this occasion bettered teammate Virgil van Dijk.
He told BBC Sport: “I don’t normally look beyond Virgil van Dijk in Liverpool’s back four when clean sheets have been maintained and matches won, but on this occasion I think I have to.
“Joel Matip was superb against Cardiff and overshadowed even the brilliant Van Dijk.
“Matip’s defending has been much more considered since the arrival of Van Dijk but it’s the quality of Matip’s distribution that has left me speechless.”
Matip has been battling with Dejan Lovren and Joe Gomez to establish himself as Van Dijk’s partner in Liverpool’s defence.
Gomez impressed at the start of the season before injury struck, and Matip has featured most regularly since.
He is making it hard for Jurgen Klopp to leave him out of the side.
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