Liverpool set to lose ‘outstanding’ Joel Matip as squad gets even younger
Four players who may look to leave Liverpool in January
Liverpool look set to continue freshening up their squad over the next 12 months, with Joel Matip expected to be the next experienced player on his way out of Anfield. The defender is set to become a free agent at the end of the season and there have been no signs that an extension is in the works, with a parting of ways now increasingly likely.
Jurgen Klopp made it his mission to breathe a new lease of life into his ageing squad over the summer, with his midfield being rebuilt in a matter of months. Jordan Henderson, James Milner, Fabinho, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain were all allowed to leave the club, with the Reds investing significant fees in their replacements.
Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch and Wataru Endo all committed their futures to Klopp’s project, with the club bringing the average age of their squad down significantly as a result.
Liverpool now appear set to focus on adding youth to their backline, with academy product Jarrel Quansah the latest to make the step up. Another young defender is expected to arrive in Merseyside in the coming windows as well, with Matip set to make way upon the expiry of his contract.
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The Cameroon international has made eight Premier League appearances so far this season but Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk are the first-choice starting centre-halves and Matip is getting on age-wise. As a result, Liverpool do not look like they will attempt to keep the centre-back at the club beyond this campaign.
Matip’s contract expires in 2024 and he is free to negotiate a move with European clubs when the January transfer window opens. Several sides are said to be monitoring his situation closely, and Klopp’s rave reviews about the defender could lure other outfits into registering an interest in taking a punt on the free agent.
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Speaking about Matip last year, the ex-Borussia Dortmund boss said: “He’s absolutely top. He is an outstanding player. People talk about the best free signings as a transfer, I can imagine it would be a close race between Joel and Millie [James Milner].”
Liverpool intend on bringing in a younger replacement for Matip further down the line, with Chelsea star Levi Colwill targeted over the summer before he penned a contract extension at Stamford Bridge. Sporting star Goncalo Inacio is among those linked to Merseyside as an alternative, with Manchester United also very keen on the Portugal international.
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