Joel Matip has received a big upgrade in the latest FIFA 22 squad update, with the defender's in-game dribbling stat also being increased.
After an injury-prone yet impressive few years with Liverpool, Matip has avoided any major setbacks so far this season for the Reds and has quickly become
Jurgen Klopp's favoured central defensive partner for Virgil van Dijk. The defender has started 16 of Liverpool's 21 Premier League games this season and has been one of the Reds' most consistent performers, but it's not his defending which has caught the eye of Liverpool fans this season, it's his dribbling.
Quickly becoming a trademark action for the defender, Matip has lifted the Anfield crowd off their seats multiple times this season with his driving runs forward, seemingly breezing past oncoming opponents and carving out a chance for the Reds.
IAN DOYLE: Liverpool handed big midfield boost as surprise Fabinho bonus emerges
PAUL GORST: Liverpool find new guaranteed starter as 'solution' emerges for Jurgen Klopp
PAUL GORST: Benitez might not want to face Liverpool truth about Everton reign
The mazy runs from the gangly 6ft 4in defender, and his overall impressive season for the Reds, hasn't gone unnoticed by EA Sports either, with Matip receiving a major boost in the latest FIFA 22 squad update.
The latest FIFA 22 squad update was released on January 13, 2022, with the squad update now available to download on all platforms including PC, Xbox and PlayStation.
So, what upgrades has Joel Matip received in FIFA 22? Let's take a look.
Joel Matip FIFA 22 upgrade
Based on his season so far, Matip has been rewarded for his fine form with a +1 upgrade to his overall and potential rating, increasing the Cameroonian from 83 to 84 overall.
The upgraded rating means Matip is higher rated than Cesar Azpilicueta (83), John Stones (83) and Harry Maguire (82), making him the joint-sixth highest rated centre back in the league, along with Antonio Rudiger (84).
The defender saw an upgrade to his short passing (77-78), ball control (72-74), jumping (75-78) and marking (87-88), whilst his dribbling went up by two ratings from 71 to 73.
His new dribbling rating is higher than teammates Van Dijk (70), Kostas Tsimikas (71), Neco Williams (69), with Trent Alexander Arnold and Andrew Robertson the only Liverpool defenders with better dribbling on FIFA 22.
When compared to the rest of the Premier League, Matip has a higher dribbling stat than exciting Chelsea's young prospect on loan at Norwich, Billy Gilmour (72), Man City starlet Cole Palmer (71), Leeds striker Patrick Bamford (70) and Brentford's Ivan Toney (68).
Along with Matip, the likes of Sadio Mane, Jordan Henderson, Ibrahim Konate, Neco Williams and Tyler Morton were updated, whilst young duo Conor Bradley and Kaide Gordon were added into the game.
