Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has paid tribute to defender Joel Matip for settling quickly into life in the Premier League.
The Cameroon international joined the Reds on a free transfer in the summer after leaving Bundesliga side Schalke 04 following the expiration of his contract.
A foot injury kept the centre-back out of the early stages of the campaign, but he has started Liverpool's last three Premier League matches alongside Dejan Lovren at the heart of the defence.
"If you lived and worked in Germany you would have known much more about him. It was pretty clear it would make sense to sign him. Tall players like him need physical fitness. He needed to create some physical strength, but there was never a doubt about his quality," Klopp told reporters.
Liverpool, who have won three of their last four games in all competitions, will take on Derby County in the third round of the League Cup on Tuesday night.
