Joel Matip is a man of few words.
The Liverpool centre-back doesn't crave the spotlight and is happy to go under the radar.
But the size of his contribution to the Reds' remarkable challenge for both the Premier League and Champions League crowns shouldn't be overlooked.
Matip has grown in stature in recent months and is producing the best form of his Anfield career.
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The 27-year-old defender was outstanding once again in Sunday's hard-fought win at struggling Cardiff City.
Defensively, the former Cameroon international won his battles and refused to be bullied. As Cardiff backed off, he strode forward purposefully with the ball at his feet and was a creative force.
He had more touches (98) than anyone else on the field. He completed 91% of his 90 passes, won five aerial duels and made two clearances and two interceptions.
The careless mistakes which dogged him previously have been largely eradicated. Now he looks more calm and composed. His partnership with Virgil van Dijk has blossomed.
Liverpool are unbeaten in the 21 Premier League matches Matip has played in this season - averaging just 0.7 goals conceded per game.
His resurgence has been timely with Joe Gomez only recently making his comeback after four months out with a broken leg, while Dejan Lovren has endured a stop-start campaign due to injuries.
Opponents have targeted Matip knowing they won't get any change out of Van Dijk but they have repeatedly failed to expose him as a weak link.
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Since Matip returned to action against Crystal Palace in January after six weeks out with a broken collarbone, Liverpool have played 17 matches in all competitions.
Matip has started 16 of them with Klopp deciding to rest him for the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final with FC Porto.
Lovren got a chance to shine in that contest but it was telling that Matip was recalled for the subsequent visit of Chelsea.
A free transfer from Schalke in the summer of 2016, Matip earned rave reviews during his first season at Anfield. However, last term he regressed and hampered by fitness issues he struggled for consistency.
When Liverpool broke the bank to sign Van Dijk for £75million in January 2018, Matip was expected to nail down the place alongside the Dutchman.
But instead it was Lovren who kicked on in the second half of last season. The Croatia international started in the Champions League final in Kiev. Matip's season ended prematurely after he required thigh surgery.
This season started with Lovren sidelined and Klopp putting his faith in the defensive axis of Gomez and Van Dijk which proved rock solid in the first half of the campaign.
At one stage Matip was Liverpool's fourth choice centre-back. Injuries to others offered him a route back and he has grasped his chance.
He's not a vocal presence on the field but he has benefited massively from having the leadership of Van Dijk alongside him.
A year ago Matip could only sit and watch as his team-mates challenged for silverware. This time around he has ensured that he'll be right in the thick of the push for glory.
Klopp now has options back there but on current form Matip is undroppable.
