---
title: "Matip believes Van Dijk is a “complete defender”"
canonical: "https://readliverpoolfc.com/news/matip-believes-van-dijk-is-a-complete-defender/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Abdullah Mulla"
section: "Liverpool News"
published: "2019-04-03T12:17:56Z"
modified: "2019-04-03T12:17:57Z"
---

# Matip believes Van Dijk is a “complete defender”

Liverpool defender Joel Matip has labelled his centre-back partner Virgil van Dijk as a “complete defender”, as reported on the official club [website](https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/first-team/344135-joel-matip-virgil-van-dijk-influence-complete-defender).

The Dutchman has put in several impressive performances so far for Liverpool this season and is a contender for the PFA Player of the Year award.

![Shaun Botterill/Getty Images Sport](https://cdn.readeverything.co/readliverpoolfc/2019/04/1139512020-1.jpg)

Van Dijk was at his best again as Liverpool overcame Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on Sunday and Matip expressed his admiration for his teammate.

He said:

> He’s a great defender. And being around him, I think everybody improves. He has had a big impact on the improvement.

> It’s great to play \[with\] him. He’s a complete defender and he knows what to do.

Matip and Van Dijk have established a good partnership in recent months due to the absence of Dejan Lovren and Joe Gomez.

Van Dijk is a huge favourite amongst the Liverpool fans and he could be the key man for them as the title race intensifies.