Vladimir Smicer feels although playing in the Ruhr derby between Schalke and Borussia Dortmund will help Joel Matip to prepare for the Manchester United game, the rivalry between the Reds and the Red Devils is a different thing altogether.
Liverpool, who roped in Matip on a free transfer from Schalke in the summer, will face Manchester United in the Premier League at Anfield on Monday.
Matip has experience of playing in fierce derbies from his time in Germany, but it will be the defender’s first game against Manchester United in a Liverpool shirt.
And Smicer, who thinks the Premier League is a step up to Bundesliga, is of the opinion that nothing comes close to the rivalry between Liverpool and Manchester United.
However, the former Czech Republic international was quick to add that Matip’s experience of featuring in the Ruhr derby will help him to prepare for the Manchester United game.
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“I think it will [help him]”, Smicer told LFC TV.
“But the Premier League is a step up to the Bundesliga.
"But it will help him, these kind of derby games are very important even in the Bundesliga – when Schalke play Dortmund, these type of games are similar.
“But you can’t compare that with the Liverpool-Manchester United game.”
Matip has thus far made seven appearances in all competitions for Liverpool.
