David Luiz picked up the Man of the Match award afterChelsea’s 1-1 draw against Liverpool at Anfield after BT Sport co-commentator Steve McManaman singled the Brazilian out as the game’s standout performer.
However, many people on social media disagreed with the former Liverpool and Real Madrid winger’s decision, despite Luiz’s superb free-kick and his effective all-round display.
Steven Gerrard, McManaman’s BT Sport colleague, also disagreed with the MOTM decision.
“He was man of the match tonight, not David Luiz,” Gerrard said, after watching highlights of N’Golo Kante’s magnificent individual performance. “Luiz scored a wonderful free-kick but Kante was man of the match.”
Kante seemed to cover every blade of grass at Anfield, he was absolutely everywhere.
Gerrard, Rio Ferdinand and Michael Ballack compared the Frenchman to the great Claude Makelele. For a defensive midfielder there can be no higher praise.
Makelele was so good he even had his own position named after him, but the ‘Makelele role’ could develop into the ‘Kante role’ at this rate.
KANTE’S INCREDIBLE STATS V LIVERPOOL
The 25-year-old recorded some truly remarkable stats against the Reds.
He made way more tackles than any other player on the pitch…
Has anyone ever seen a game with more tackles? Kante with just the 14/16 today pic.twitter.com/XCVNv9gzwA
— Saturdays on Couch (@SaturdayOnCouch) January 31, 2017
Breaking a 2016-17 Premier League record in the process…
N’Golo Kante: Made more tackles vs Liverpool (14) than any other player has made in a Premier League match this season #LIVCHE
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) January 31, 2017
He had 70 touches of the ball across the pitch….
Ngolo Kante is THAT guy?? Representing for the unsung heroes. I hope he’s a title winner again this season⚪️?(@nglkante @chelseafc) pic.twitter.com/47DHMnDNzl
— Eniola Aluko (@EniAlu) January 31, 2017
He also made five blocks, two clearances, one interception and created a goalscoring opportunity…
N’Golo Kante’s game by numbers vs. Liverpool:
9 tackles won
5 blocks made
2 clearances
1 interception
1 chance createdEverywhere tonight. pic.twitter.com/W0ZoDDKyD7
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) January 31, 2017
Kante’s heatmap wouldn’t have looked too dissimilar to this…
The N’Golo Kante heatmap from tonight… pic.twitter.com/cy4Q20wh7w
— The Football Pools (@footballpools) January 31, 2017