Liverpool were good enough value for their point against Manchester City today.
Although a handful of players really struggled including – bizarrely – Alisson Becker, a couple shone at the Etihad Stadium.
Alexis Mac Allister did well, while Ryan Gravenberch also caught the eye when coming from the bench. Trent Alexander-Arnold got his goal and put in a good display and Kostas Tsimikas was solid.
But perhaps Liverpool’s most impressive performer on the day was a man used to being the unsung hero: Mr Joel Matip.
Now into his eighth season at Anfield, Matip rarely gets the plaudits he deserves. In fact, plenty will have been slightly nervous at his inclusion ahead of Ibrahima Konate today.
But as he so often does, the 32-year-old proved everybody wrong. He could have been tighter to Erling Haaland for the game’s opening goal, but that aside Matip was flawless. It was the latest in a pleasing renaissance for the Cameroonian, who is making a serious case for a contract extension.
Matip makes his case
After a really disappointing season last time out, it had looked like Matip may even be moved on during the summer.
Ticking ever into his thirties, it seemed possible that the injuries of the last few years had come back to finally call time on Matip’s time at Liverpool.
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Even having stayed at the club, the former Schalke man looked destined to play second-fiddle to Konate and maybe Joe Gomez for the season.
But injury to Konate opened the door for Matip. Every time he’s been trusted by Jurgen Klopp, he’s come up trumps. Today could have been incredibly difficult, but alongside his old mate Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool’s No.32 answered virtually every question thrown at him.
Now, the Reds do have to be slightly cautious here. We know full well their policy on handing out contract extensions to over 30’s. But on this kind of form, Matip still looks like he’s got so much to give.
A lot can change between now and the end of the season, that’s true. If he keeps this up though, it would be a big, big mistake to let Matip walk out of the door at the season’s end.
The centre-back has already stated his openness to ending his career at Liverpool. With links to youngsters like Lucas Beraldo emerging, Matip’s experience could be worth its weight in gold.
Whatever Liverpool decide in regards to their long-serving defender, today proved that he’ll go down as one of their finest of the Premier League era. A goodbye doesn’t have to be inevitable though, and today underlined exactly why.