It will be a completely different game- Joel Matip on Champions League Final

The German defender has been instrumental and has started 19 of the 22 games since his return from injury.

After failing to win the Premier League title by just a point, Liverpool FC get ready to play their second consecutive UEFA Champions League final this year against the fellow English side, Tottenham Hotspur. Their road to the final wasn't easy as they have beaten Paris Saint Germain, Napoli, Bayern Munich, FC Porto and overturned a 3-0 deficit in the second leg against FC Barcelona to reach the final. 

And one of the pillars of Liverpool along the knockout stage has been Joel Matip and has started 19 of the last 22 matches in all competitions, being praised for the chemistry and sync up play he has developed along with Virgil van Dijk. 

"At the beginning of the season I was struggling with injuries and other lads did very well, so there was no reason to change," Matip told Liverpoolfc.com.

Matip suffered a broken collar bone in December 2018 forcing him to stay out from the field for atleast a month.

"But in the second half I could play and could improve. I feel good," he added.

"You are waiting for this. And then if you can use it, it's not a bad feeling - it's not the worst feeling," the defender said.

???? Marbella #UCLfinal prep begins ???? pic.twitter.com/WtvhnpEQ1a

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 20, 2019

DEBATE: Joel Matip has been unbelievable since finding his place in the team but Gomez was also unbelievable in the first half of the season before getting injured. Who should Klopp start next season next to Van Dijk, Matip or Gomez?

— Señor (@EnRouteAnfield) May 19, 2019

ALSO READ

I focus on what I can do- Christian Pulisic on his arrival at Chelsea

Kylian Mbappe wanted to join Real Madrid- Unai Emery

Maybe he would rather join Liverpool than Bayern Munich- RB Leipzig chief Oliver Mintzlaff on Timo Werner

Joel Matip doesn’t get enough credit he deserves this season. Started as a 4th choice and desperately relied in a crucial match vs Napoli, solved the CB crisis playing 14 consecutive games and played a massive role on getting to the CL final and the title race. Top quality. pic.twitter.com/bWNvKREvmW

— Samuel ???????? (@SamueILFC) May 21, 2019

Liverpool did a double against Tottenham this season and currently, they are training in Marbella, Spain for the final.

"It will be a completely different game, but we know we can beat them and we are looking forward," said Matip who is confident of beating Tottenham for the third time this season.

Both the games ended 2-1 in the favour of Liverpool in the Premier League