‘We can beat everyone’- bold claim from Liverpool star Matip
Liverpool defender Joel Matip has spoken out about his six seasons at Anfield, claiming the club can beat anyone this season if they play at their top level.
The defender joined the club on a free transfer from German club Schalke in the summer of 2016, becoming one of Jurgen Klopp’s first signings.
Matip has enjoyed a successful period with the Reds, picking up the Premier League and Champions League trophies. Now, the 30-year-old has revealed what makes the club so special.
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Speaking in the Official Liverpool FC magazine, Matip said: “This is my sixth year at Liverpool and, looking backwards, it feels like it has gone in the blink of an eye.
“My first league game against a strong Tottenham side was really special. Unfortunately, it was only a draw, but it was brilliant for me to feel the shirt in a proper game. It’s not a great memory that it was a draw, but everybody remembers his first game.
“I am already five years here and you get connected. You feel this amazing club even if you walk through the city.
“There are so many Liverpool supporters around the world that you just feel how big the club is and how many people love the club in their own special way. You just feel part of a really special thing.
“To be in this environment helps you to grow and it has gone really well – really quickly – and now I hope to enjoy the next years here.
Matip also spoke about how the team is shaping up ahead of the new season, making a strong claim in the process.
“I think we are in good shape and we don’t have to be afraid of any team, but we have to play our football 100 per cent.
“It will be an intense and interesting season and we have a really good team. If we play at our 100 per cent level, we can beat everyone.”
The Cameroonian also voiced his thoughts about the benefits of having fans back at Anfield.
“It is brilliant, after such a long time, to have the supporters around us again in the stadiums. We were all really looking forward to having a full stadium again.
“Last season we played in empty stadiums, but now the fans are back in we can just enjoy football again.
“Playing in empty stadiums is something different. Of course it is still football, but it feels different. It feels more like football when the supporters are there. It gives us extra strength.”