Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has claimed that he "cannot help" people who do not recognise the "quality" of Joel Matip.
The Cameroonian centre-back has formed an effective defensive pairing with Virgil van Dijk since their respective returns from long-term injury woes, playing every minute of the 2021-22 Premier League season so far.
Matip has played his part in clean sheets against Norwich City, Leeds United and Burnley this term, and Klopp believes that the 30-year-old's "incredible" talent is there for all to see.
Speaking to the media ahead of Saturday's game with Crystal Palace, Klopp said: "I cannot help people who don't see the quality of Joel. He's a big boy, a big player.
"He was unlucky with injuries. He's tall and it can look a bit edgy but he's always been incredible for us. We need his quality, we have four or five top-class centre-backs and that is good and necessary."
Matip also played the full 90 minutes of Wednesday's 3-2 Champions League win over AC Milan and has now featured 128 times across all competitions for Liverpool.
Another player who garnered praise from Klopp on Friday was Divock Origi, whose performance against the Rossoneri was labelled "absolutely exceptional" by the Liverpool coach.
Ben Knapton
