{"id":1085325,"date":"2019-04-22T15:33:30","date_gmt":"2019-04-22T14:33:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?p=1085325"},"modified":"2022-09-20T22:21:32","modified_gmt":"2022-09-20T21:21:32","slug":"matip-van-dijk-liverpool-cardiff","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/news\/matip-van-dijk-liverpool-cardiff\/","title":{"rendered":"Matip “overshadowed” Van Dijk in Liverpool’s win over Cardiff, claims Crooks"},"content":{"rendered":"

Liverpool defender Joel Matip “overshadowed” teammate Virgil van Dijk in the club’s 2-0 victory away to Cardiff City on Sunday, according to Garth Crooks.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Reds took another important step in this season’s Premier League title race by claiming all three points against the relegation strugglers.<\/p>\n

Matip steps up: Five things you need to know…<\/strong><\/h2>\n
    \n
  1. Matip joined Liverpool from\u00a0Schalke in 2016 on a free transfer following the expiry of his contract with the German outfit.<\/li>\n
  2. The defender has made 93 appearances for the Reds in all competitions since, scoring three goals.<\/li>\n
  3. The 27-year-old has played every Premier League minute in Liverpool’s previous 13 fixtures.<\/li>\n
  4. They have only conceded 10 goals in that time, with Liverpool only conceding 11 Premier League goals in games Matip has completed 90 minutes in.<\/li>\n
  5. The Merseysiders are currently top of the Premier League – two points clear of Manchester City – who have a game in hand on them.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    https:\/\/audioboom.com\/posts\/7234057-i-can-t-think-of-any-potential-arsenal-signings-that-make-more-sense<\/p>\n

    Liverpool produced a solid performance away to a battling Cardiff City side who were looking for all three points themselves in an effort to escape the relegation zone.<\/p>\n

    Second half goals from\u00a0Georginio Wijnaldum and James Milner secured the three points for Jurgen Klopp’s men but once again their victory was built upon an impressive defensive foundation.<\/p>\n

    Often the star man at the back for the Reds, Van Dijk’s excellent performance was “overshadowed” by Matip, with BBC Sport columnist Crooks praising the latter’s distribution.<\/p>\n

    https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=IZ_qdf_gWhk<\/p>\n

    Subscribe to Squawka\u2019s Youtube channel here<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Crooks said:\u00a0“I don’t normally look beyond Virgil van Dijk in Liverpool’s back four when clean sheets have been maintained and matches won, but on this occasion I think I have to.<\/p>\n

    “Joel Matip was superb against Cardiff and overshadowed even the brilliant Van Dijk.<\/p>\n

    “Matip’s defending has been much more considered since the arrival of the Dutchman – but it’s the quality of his distribution that has left me speechless.”<\/p>\n

    \"\"

    READ MORE:<\/strong> Cardiff 0-2 Liverpool: Winners & losers as Reds climb above Man City again<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

    Liverpool’s impressive defensive record<\/strong><\/h2>\n

    Across the past few years, Liverpool have boasted an impressive attacking line-up that has regularly frightened defences with its speed, power and ability to find the back of the net.<\/p>\n

    However, the club’s weakness has often been an inability to keep the ball out of their own net. That has changed this season.<\/p>\n

    Liverpool have conceded just 20 Premier League goals in 34 outings, with the likes of Van Dijk, Matip, Andrew Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold providing a solid foundation for the club to produce results.<\/p>\n

    They won’t be able to beat Chelsea’s almighty record of conceding just 15 Premier League goals en-route to the 2004\/05 title, but they have been just one or two results off matching that stat.<\/p>\n