Joel Matip should be considered one of the first names on the Liverpool team-sheet

Add as preferred source on Google

Liverpool have made a blistering start to their 2019/20 campaign as they look to finally end their long wait for a Premier League title.

The Reds are the only outfit to have won all four of their matches in the opening month of the campaign and sit pretty at the summit of the division.

The usual suspects have been claiming the plaudits. Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane have all been on the receiving end of high praise.

One man who continues to perform at a high level, but doesn’t typically get the praise he deserves is Joel Matip.

He showcased at the weekend against Burnley just how important he is to the Liverpool team with a series of tackles and blocks.

During the campaign so far he has proved colossus when called upon and after being left out of Liverpool’s first match of the season, he must now be deemed one of the first names of Jurgen Klopp’s team-sheet.

Settling in

Matip arrived at Anfield in 2016 from Schalke (The Guardian). Since checking-in on Merseyside, he has set about making a mockery of the free transfer which he arrived for.

He didn’t have an incredible first season at the club, it has to be said. The arrival of van Dijk has helped, along with Klopp’s faith to stick with him.

Last season, Matip was instrumental in Liverpool winning their sixth Champions League crown. Alongside van Dijk, he built up a telepathic understanding with both displaying phenomenal defensive prowess.

In three years at Anfield, he has made 103 appearances for the club, becoming a vitally important cog in one of Europe’s most sensational teams.

Or at least he should be deemed an important part.

The time has come for people to stop undervaluing the £100,000-a-week (Spotrac) performer and give the man with 27 caps for Cameroon the credit that he thoroughly deserves.