Liverpool are ready to sell veteran centre-back Joel Matip in the summer, according to journalist Neil Jones. The Reds were relatively discreet in the January transfer window, at a time when they needed heavy reinforcements and their fellow Premier League rivals were forking out money at will. Their only incoming was Cody Gakpo, a deal quickly signed and sealed during Christmas festivities for a full package of £50m. The fans were on the edge of their seats as they thought many more would come once the window officially opens.
However, no new face followed Gakpo at Anfield and the fans were left utterly disappointed. Liverpool are sitting ninth in the league, ten points adrift of the top four and in serious danger of missing out on Champions League qualification. But only one player was signed despite injuries to key players as well, with the bigger picture now being revealed by GOAL’s Liverpool correspondent Neil Jones.
Liverpool to offload Joel Matip in summer fire sale
According to Jones, Matip has been shortlisted by Liverpool as part of their summer overhaul. The Reds are looking to offload a number of fringe players, who are offering close to nothing in the absence of key players and are bulking up the wage bill. Matip seems to be one of them, since Liverpool have enough options at the heart of their defense in Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, Joe Gomez, Nat Phillips and the young talent Rhy Williams.
Moreover, it has become quite evident that Jurgen Klopp’s preferred options in front of Alisson are Van Dijk and Konate, with Gomez often providing cover in the absence of wither of the two defenders. Matip’s current deal at Anfield runs until the summer of 2024, as Liverpool believe the 31-year-old could fetch decent fee in the summer. Jones, writing for GOAL revealed:
“There have been growing whispers from within the club that Matip may move on this summer. Virgil van Dijk and Konate look to be the Reds’ preferred centre-back pairing going forward, while Joe Gomez signed a long-term contract last summer and provides a homegrown squad option.
“Matip will enter the final year of his deal in the summer, and if a suitable offer was received for the 31-year-old, it would be hard to refuse.”
As Jones’ words tell the precedent, Liverpool offered the 25-year-old Gomez a long term contract in July last year which runs through the 2026/27 season. The Reds have made their point and that maybe its time for Klopp’s first signing at Liverpool, Joel Matip to move on. Liverpool are planning to strengthen all fronts right from defense to the attack. Their midfield needs an open heart surgery and funds will be gathered through the sale of the deadwood at he club.
Matip, who was signed by Klopp after taking over at the Merseyside club in 2015 for Schalke on a free transfer has went on to make an important 180 appearances for the club. He has also been a key part of the club’s trophy-winning campaigns, lifting a Champions League, Premier League, Super Cup, Club World Cup, FA Cup and the Carabao Cup across seven years till now. However, it seems his years are up at Anfield, with his summer sale lined up.