Joel Matip and Virgil Van Dijk have been rock solid in defence for Liverpool during the current season and many people might not remember but the centre-back joined the Reds as a free agent.
Joel Matip arrived at Anfield in 2016 from Schalke in the summer of 2016 and he did come in as a fringe player but right now he is the mainstay at the back alongside Van Dijk.
And speaking about the impact which the 28-year-old has made, Jurgen Klopp praised Joel Matip saying that he has worked really hard in order to reach the top level.
‘In a world of big transfer fees, to sign a player like Joel Matip on a free transfer is incredible,’ said Klopp(as reported).
‘It was maybe one of the best pieces of business we did in the last few years.
‘Joel was always an incredible talent. He played as an 18-year-old boy for Schalke in the Bundesliga.
‘It’s a strong league and he played there, and was always a standout player, a fixed point in defence.
‘Yes he lacked a little bit of consistency, that can happen especially with his physical stature.
‘He doesn’t always look sensational when he moves. But he grew and developed. Joel is in a really good moment; long, long may it continue.’
Verdict:
Joel Matip is out of contract with Liverpool next year but the Reds have already triggered a clause which will keep the defender at the club until 2021.
And we believe this clause has been triggered only to give the club time to negotiate a new deal.
Last season, Joel Matip played in 22 games in the Premier League which at first might not seem a lot but since the turn of the year, he has been a regular feature under Jurgen Klopp.
But one concern for the manager is that the centre-back is currently 28-year-old and he does not have more than a few good seasons left in him. So it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Joe Gomez being slowly brought into the picture in order to be the long-term replacement for Joel Matip.
