Joel Matip: Van Dijk is the complete defender
Virgil van Dijk is not only a 'complete defender' but a player that Joel Matip believes improves everybody around him.
The Liverpool No.4 was at his imperious best once again during Sunday’s 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur, not least when, with the score level five minutes from time, his quick thinking and positioning denied a clear two-on-one situation.
As they had in the previous six matches, Matip and Van Dijk began that contest alongside each other at centre-half – and the former therefore knows first-hand the effect the latter has on the team as a whole.
“He’s a great defender,” Matip told Premier League Productions.
“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.
“Every defender does things a little bit differently. You always need some time to really know each other. This is normal. I think we need this time in a good way and this is working most of the time quite well.”
Watch: Van Dijk's best bits against Spurs
After suffering a fractured collarbone in early December, Matip has returned to the team and started each of Liverpool’s past dozen games.
But with the most important period of the season still ahead, the No.32 is determined not to take such an extended run in the side for granted.
“It’s not too bad; I always know that I have to improve but it’s a good feeling to be on the pitch and to play,” he said.
“If you win it’s also not too bad. I’m happy. But you know you have always to improve, to get better, to be part of the team.”