“Have you ever ever seen a greater free switch than Joel Matip?” enthused Jurgen Klopp just a few months earlier than his and Matip’s Liverpool departure.
The gangly Cameroon worldwide arrived at Liverpool in 2016 for completely zilch, an distinctive piece of recruitment from Klopp and his scouts after Matip had sparkled in Germany with Schalke.
Matip arrived on Merseyside to little fanfare however shortly established himself as not solely a wonderful centre-back, however a much-loved cult hero. Whether or not it’s his odd gait, bromance with Virgil van Dijk or astonishing on-field success, he was adored by the Anfield devoted.
He received the lot with Liverpool and was a transformative determine as Klopp’s facet turned English, European and world champions.
Following his retirement from soccer, let’s check out Matip’s finest moments with Liverpool.
Semi-finals = ⚽️⚽️ #UCLfinal = ⚽️
🥇 Divock Origi 👏#UCL | @LFC pic.twitter.com/zcQcldReip
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) June 5, 2019
It took Matip three years to supply his first help for Liverpool, but it surely was properly definitely worth the wait. Within the closing phases of a tense Champions League closing in opposition to Tottenham Hotspur, the Reds discovered themselves a objective to the great due to Mohamed Salah’s early penalty.
Nonetheless, Divock Origi would offer a clinching second within the dying minutes, with Matip popping up with crucial help of his profession. It wasn’t a looking out 50-yard cross in behind or an incisive by means of ball, however a deft contact into the trail of Liverpool’s Belgian made the distinction.
It was a primary trophy with Liverpool for Matip however actually not the final.
Joel Matip’s indignant stroll is the very best factor you’ll see right now…
pic.twitter.com/4n65DLkZtB— Soccer Mumble (@football_mumble) October 19, 2020
Few footballers are much less scary than Matip. The defender’s infectious smile, slim construct and amenable character made him a fan favorite for a motive, however even essentially the most composed professionals lose their head every now and then.
Matip misplaced his cool throughout a heated second in a fiery Merseyside derby in October 2020. Richarlison’s late lunge, which resulted in a crimson card, infuriated the previous Schalke defender, who strode with venom in the direction of referee Michael Oliver.
Nonetheless, Matip inadvertently conjured up Basil Fawlty together with his hilarious indignant stroll.
Joel Matip finishes certainly one of his marauding runs with a objective in opposition to Leeds in 2022 🙌🔴 pic.twitter.com/PWOwv6yDth
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 8, 2024
Matip shortly turned recognized for his marauding and mazy runs from defence into the opposition closing third, but it surely’s truthful to say that not lots of them resulted in glory. Nonetheless, on his umpteenth try, the centre-back lastly scored a superbly taken objective in opposition to Leeds United in a 6-0 demolition at Anfield.
Matip burst ahead from the midway line and performed a pleasant one-two with Salah, exhibiting immense composure to raise his end over the outstretched physique of Illan Meslier. Persistence actually pays off.
Joel Matip ❤
The @PremierLeague Participant of the Month for February 👏 pic.twitter.com/HOaYOkahQp
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) March 11, 2022
Liverpool’s 6-0 thrashing of Leeds marked a outstanding February in 2022, with Matip taking centre stage. The defender featured in each minute of the Reds’ 4 Premier League matches, conceding simply as soon as, grabbing a stunning objective in opposition to the Whites and even managing an help for Diogo Jota.
In consequence, Matip achieved what few centre-backs do by successful the Premier League Participant of the Month award, turning into the primary Cameroonian participant to assert the prize. He even beat former Tottenham Hotspur sharpshooter Harry Kane to the award.
Joel Matip says goodbye to Anfield 👋 pic.twitter.com/hpWzS9eg69
— Sky Sports activities Premier League (@SkySportsPL) Could 19, 2024
The top of the 2023/24 season was emotional for Liverpool supporters, with the immensely profitable Klopp period coming to an finish. Naturally, the German supervisor was the concentrate on the ultimate day of the marketing campaign, but it surely was additionally the top of the journey for Matip on Merseyside.
Matip was given a heat send-off by the Anfield devoted, leaving Liverpool with a formidable trophy cupboard. The defender received the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup, UEFA Tremendous Cup and FIFA Membership World Cup, including to a DFB Pokal received with Schalke in 2010/11.
Free transfers actually do not come higher than Matip.
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