‘Who votes for it? His mum?’: Jurgen Klopp jokes that Liverpool’s players celebrated Joel Matip’s player of the month award as wildly as their Carabao Cup win and praises the defender’s excellent form
- Joel Matip won the Premier League player of the month award for February
- It was a reward for the Liverpool defender’s outstanding form in recent weeks
- Jurgen Klopp spoke of the dressing room’s delight at Matip getting the prize
- He also praised the Cameroon defender’s humility as well as his fine displays
Jurgen Klopp has joked his Liverpool players celebrated Joel Matip’s player of the month award as wildly as they did winning the Carabao Cup.
The Cameroon defender was rewarded for his excellent form during February with the Premier League accolade, becoming the first player from his country to win it.
Matip played every minute as Liverpool reignited the title race with four wins to squeeze the gap to leaders Manchester City.
Liverpool’s Joel Matip has won the Premier League Player of the Month award for February
Matip (left) was in commanding form as Liverpool reignited the Premier League title race
A successful month for Klopp’s men was capped by their penalty shoot-out triumph over Chelsea to claim the Carabao Cup, as well as progress in the FA Cup and the Champions League.
And the German revealed the funny scenes that unfolded when news broke of Matip’s honours.
‘That was great. Before training, we had a meeting, and Thiago Alcantara had put a picture in the players’ [WhatsApp] group, where he [Matip] had the trophy in his hand, so I asked “is it true that Joel won?”‘ Klopp said.
‘It was similar to the celebrations after the Carabao Cup, to be honest! It was really cool.
‘Joel is a very famous figure in the group, in the team, and he obviously doesn’t get a lot of headlines.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp (left) was full of praise for Matip’s displays in recent weeks
Matip also helped Liverpool win the Carabao Cup during a successful February for the club
‘I don’t like individual prizes for players too much, but if there was one who should have won it, it makes sense that it was Joel.
‘Who votes for it? Was it his mum? The Premier League? A panel? I think I criticised the Premier League quite frequently, but I have to say now; you have made worse decisions!
‘Believe me, if there is one person on this planet who couldn’t care less if we all under-rate him, it’s Joel Matip! Honestly. He doesn’t even realise, probably.
‘He’s just happy to be here with these boys. He’s a really smart person, but not in there kind of things. He never thinks, ‘my God, I should have another status’ or whatever. Not at all.
Matip (centre) helped Liverpool to four wins, with three clean sheets and one goal conceded
Matip was an unlikely scorer against Leeds, lifting a delicate finish beyond Illan Meslier
‘That’s why everyone was so happy he got it.’
Matip stood out for more than just his defensive qualities and showed what he is capable of further up the pitch.
He caught the eye for two pieces of brilliant forward play, first producing a sharp nutmegged assist for Diogo Jota in Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Leicester.
Matip then topped that with a stunning solo goal in the Reds’ 6-0 thrashing of Leeds. The 30-year-old went on a surging run into the opposition penalty box before producing a sublime chipped finish over goalkeeper Ilian Meslier.
Liverpool continue their title push with a visit to Brighton on Saturday lunchtime.
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