Klopp names one Liverpool man that has ‘stepped up’

Joe Williams
Liverpool Jurgen Klopp Everton

Jurgen Klopp thinks Joel Matip has really “stepped up” his game amid Liverpool’s defensive injury crisis in recent months.

The Reds have come through a tough period in their season largely unharmed as they sit only a point behind Manchester City in the Premier League title race, while they overcame Bayern Munich to progress to the Champions League quarter-finals.

Injuries to the likes of Dejan Lovren and Joe Gomez have given Matip a long run in side with Fabinho covering for the absence of Van Dijk on a couple of occasions.

Matip was brilliant against Bayern, producing a great performance to stop the threat of Robert Lewandowski, own goal aside and Klopp was full of praise ahead of Liverpool’s Premier League clash against Fulham over the weekend.

“He has really stepped up,” Klopp told reporters. “From me he cannot get more praise, he’s an outstanding player and he did unbelievably against Bayern

“We were unlucky with the centre-back injuries but hopefully this is all nearly sorted.

“Matip was incredible against Naples until he got that injury but we’ve had a bit of consistency now and thankfully Virg is playing all the time and they’ve done a brilliant job.”