Joel Matip Confident He Can Ignore Diego Costa Antics

With the biggest test of his young Anfield career set to begin, Joel Matip was asked how he would be able to handle the antics of controversial Chelsea striker Diego Costa. He responded by insisting he is unfazed by those who try to get a reaction out of him, as Costa is known to do.

"If an opponent tries to talk to me during the game, really, I don't give a f----," Matip said (via the Telegraph). "They can say what they want."

"I don't think anyone is like Costa. You can play against players who like to make you uncomfortable, but not too many with his size or as famous as him," he added.

While Matip is wary of the striker, he said that he has other concerns as a defender. In addition, he is confident he won't let his emotions get the better of him in the upcoming match up.

"I prepare for the whole team," Matip said. "Maybe he will be my direct adversary and I will study to see how he moves. I have seen a lot of his games. But you can never prepare for one player out of 11."

"In six years in the Bundesliga I had one red card - and then one red card in the Europa League, which was wiped out after. You can get emotional sometimes if there is a refereeing decision you do not like but it is not something I have had an issue with."