Joe Gomez has described Joel Matip as a ‘world-class’ player, following Liverpool’s 1-1 draw with Manchester City.
The Reds left the Etihad with a share of the spoils on Sunday afternoon, as Mohamed Salah and Gabriel Jesus traded goals.
Jurgen Klopp played Gomez and Matip as a centre-back pairing for the first time ever and they passed with flying colours.
Both handled themselves impressively up against a dangerous City attack, snuffing out danger time and time again.
Speaking to Liverpool’s official website after the game, Gomez heaped praise on Matip, saying he is an elite footballer:
Everyone knows how good he is and, for me, he is world-class.
Obviously we’ve got a big miss in Virgil but I enjoy playing with Joel and we’ve just got to keep pushing and keep getting points together as a collective.
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Every football supporter has a different definition of the term ‘world-class’, so discussing certain players is always going to be subjective.
I don’t think Matip is at the very highest level of centre-backs in the game, not helped by his constant injury problems, but he is still an unsung performer for Liverpool when he is fit.
Without Virgil van Dijk, the fitness of Matip and Gomez is going to be so important – if they can avoid injuries, they can forge a strong partnership that helps Liverpool seal back-to-back Premier League titles.
If they can hold their own away to City, they should be able to look formidable against anyone.
