Rio Ferdinand has claimed Joel Matip will be 'fuming' after being relegated to the bench for Liverpool's Champions League clash with Villarreal
The Reds face Unai Emery's LaLiga side at Anfield in their European semi-final first-leg tie on Wednesday night, with defender Matip dropped by manager Jurgen Klopp for Ibrahima Konate .
And Ferdinand insisted the Cameroonian star has a right to be annoyed given his excellent performances this season.
He said: "If I'm Matip, I'm fuming. Because he's been exceptional this season. You're talking one of the best defenders in the league this season. But set-pieces are a big thing, so that's why Konate is in, 100%."
Fellow pundit Peter Crouch added: "I think it's the strongest (starting team). Other than Matip, you could argue between him and Konate... that for me at the moment is the strongest side available. Konate, the reason for that is at set-pieces he's proved in previous rounds that he can be a difference.