Matip is so good by the way.
Van Dijk takes all the plaudits but Matip is elite in his own right.
We talk about Hyypia, Carragher (some say Agger but I can't agree, he got bullied too easily) being great defenders. I'd love to see how they would have coped in our system, where our defenders have to play in a high line, be very good in possession and our full back both bomb forward so our CBs have to deal in one vs one situations a lot more.
Benitez and Houiller protected our CBs. Hyypia for example was great at what he did. Amazing in the air, calm, decent on the ball, but I'd fear for him in our current system.
But our CBs now have to be so much more complete.
Matip is complete & an incredible piece of business. Just wish he stayed fit more.