Liverpool legend John Aldridge was full of praise for defender Joel Matip after the stalemate with Manchester United.

The 25-year-old helped keep Manchester United at bay on Monday night as the Reds played out a goalless draw with their Premier League rivals at Anfield.

"I was impressed by Joel Matip and Dejan Lovren," Aldridge writes in his latest Liverpool Echo column. "Partnerships are key at centre-back and the pair are starting to develop an understanding.

"I have been particularly impressed with Matip, who was my Man of the Match on Monday and kept Zlatan Ibrahimovic pretty quiet.

"He can also create chances out of defence, as he demonstrated with his pass for Emre Can in the second half.

"When teams sit back, you need someone who can step into midfield from the back. In my day, we'd have Alan Hansen bringing the ball out and he'd sometimes get as far as the opposing back four.

"Matip is capable of doing that. When teams play with one or even none up front, it gives a centre-back licence to go upfield. Matip is adding an extra dimension to our play."