Liverpool 3-0 AFC Bournemouth: 5 Hits and Flops | Premier League 2018-19

#4 Hit: Joel Matip

Matip was excellent in defence, as Liverpool had another clean sheet against an unpredictable Bournemouth

Could've given a spot in this list to Andrew Robertson, Sadio Mane, Naby Keita or a few other Liverpool players besides them. But considering all the praise Virgil van Dijk constantly gets, it's important to acknowledge when he's outshone by one of his defensive teammates.

On this occasion, it was Joel Matip who excelled for the Reds on their way to a 14th clean sheet of the league campaign. The statistics support this too: a game-high 11 clearances, three tackles and aerial duels won, two interceptions, one key pass and 89% accuracy.

For all his weaknesses and negative tendencies in defence, you have to give credit where its due. He performed well and needed to, as the match could've been a completely different contest altogether had Bournemouth scored early on to capitalize on the hosts' nervy start.

A good display from a player aware that now is as good a time as ever to try and cement your starting berth, given Joe Gomez and Dejan Lovren are both sidelined. The acid test will now be whether he can continue this momentum with tougher opposition to come, but it's during times like this that it's easy to forget they signed him for free two-and-a-half years ago!