Liverpool icon’s best moments at Anfield

“Have you ever seen a better free transfer than Joel Matip?” enthused Jurgen Klopp a few months before his departure from Liverpool and Matip.

The Cameroon international arrived at Liverpool in 2016 for absolutely nothing, an exceptional piece of recruitment by Klopp and his scouts after Matip had shone in Germany with Schalke.

Matip arrived on Merseyside with little fanfare, but quickly established himself as not only an excellent centre-back, but also a much-loved cult hero. Whether it was his odd step, conversation with Virgil van Dijk or surprising success on the pitch, the Anfield faithful adored him.

He won the lot with Liverpool and was a transformative figure as Klopp’s side became English, European and world champions.

After his retirement from footballlet’s take a look at Matip’s best moments with Liverpool.

It took three years for Matip to provide his first assist for Liverpool, but it was worth the wait. In the closing stages of a tense Champions League final against Tottenham Hotspur, the Reds found themselves a goal up thanks to Mohamed Salah’s early penalty.

However, Divock Origi would provide a second in the dying minutes, with Matip popping up with the biggest assist of his career. It wasn’t a 50-yard pass from behind or an incisive ball, but a deft touch into the path of Liverpool’s Belgian made the difference.

It was the first trophy with Liverpool for Matip, but surely not the last.

Few footballers are less scary than Matip. The defender’s infectious smile, slim build and friendly personality made him a fan favorite for a reason, but even the most composed professionals lose their minds from time to time.

Matip lost his cool during an intense moment in a fiery Merseyside derby in October 2020. Richarlison’s late lunge, which resulted in a red card, infuriated the former Schalke defender, who walked away with venom to referee Michael Oliver.

However, Matip inadvertently evoked Basil Fawlty with his funny angry walk.

Matip quickly became known for his marauding, mazy runs from defense into the opposition’s final third, but it’s fair to say that not many of them led to glory. However, at his umpteenth attempt, the centre-back finally scored a well-taken goal against Leeds United in a 6-0 demolition at Anfield.

Matip came forward from the halfway line and played a delightful one-two with Salah, showing immense composure to lift his finish over the outstretched body of Illan Meslier. Persistence certainly pays.

Liverpool’s 6-0 thrashing of Leeds marked a remarkable February 2022, with Matip taking center stage. The defender has featured in every minute of the Reds’ four Premier League games, conceding just once, scoring a lovely goal against Los Blancos and even grabbing an assist from Diogo Jota.

As a result, Matip achieved what few centre-backs do by winning the Premier League Player of the Month award, becoming the first Cameroonian player to claim the award. He even beat former Tottenham Hotspur marksman Harry Kane to the award.

The end of the 2023/24 season was an emotional one for Liverpool fans, with Klopp’s highly successful era coming to an end. Naturally, the German manager was the focus of the final day of the campaign, but it was also the end of Matip’s journey on Merseyside.

Matip received a warm send-off from the Anfield faithful, leaving Liverpool with an impressive trophy cabinet. The defender won the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup, adding to a DFB Pokal won with Schalke in 2010/ 11.

Free transfers really don’t get better than Matip.

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