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Jamie Carragher says one Liverpool player doesn’t get the credit he deserves

Giuseppe Labellarte

Sat 23 October 2021 7:15, UK

Liverpool icon Jamie Carragher has waxed lyrical about Reds defender Joel Matip, suggesting he doesn’t get the credit he deserves.

The 30-year-old joined Liverpool on a free transfer in 2016 and has clocked up 133 appearances for Jurgen Klopp’s side.

Matip’s efforts have helped Liverpool win the Premier League, Champions League, the UEFA Supercup and the Club World Cup.

The ace was absent for much of last season due to injury.

Jurgen Klopp’s side missed Matip, Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez as they just about managed to finish in the Premier League top four.

However, Liverpool have looked much improved this season thanks to the return of key players including the above trio.

This weekend, the Reds are in Premier League action away at Manchester United.

Carragher and fellow pundit Gary Neville picked their combined Liverpool and Man United starting XIs.

The Reds legend went for an all-Liverpool defence, snubbing Red Devils ace Harry Maguire.

“Possibly been better than Virgil van Dijk”

Explaining his selection, Carragher : “I’m a huge Maguire fan, he’s a really good player.

“It’s got nothing to do with his performance at the weekend – but I actually think Matip has possibly been better than Virgil van Dijk this season.

“He’s a player that goes under the radar because he’s not a huge name, he came in on a free transfer, he’s been there a long time under Jurgen Klopp, he’s had injury problems.

“But every time he plays he’s top class, he really is and that partnership with Virgil van Dijk is really good at the minute, it is.

“The performances he’s given, certainly in the last 18 months, he was the centre-back who played in the Champions League final for Liverpool.

“He’s played in so many big games, this season he’s almost been an ever-present, he’s been fantastic.”