Veteran defender Joel Matip could depart Liverpool at the end of this season
Reports from Liverpool Echo claim that central defender Joel Matip could well and truly be on his way out of Merseyside at the end of this season. ECHO suggests that the club is weighing up the possibility of parting ways with the Cameroonian defender, who has been struggling with poor form throughout the campaign.
Even though the player has played a significant part in successful Liverpool squads in recent seasons, winning all possible trophies under Jurgen Klopp, Matip’s form in the backline this season has been a major disappointment for the club. Especially after the last campaign, wherein he was arguably the best defender for the club.
He has only played in 11 Premier League matches this season, and his performances on the pitch have been lacklustre. This has led to some fans and analysts questioning whether he still has what it takes to compete at the highest level.
Liverpool will need to start planning for the future, and this may involve letting Matip go. The team has already begun to rebuild their defence following injuries to key players like signing Ibrahima Konate in the summer of 2021, and they will need to continue to do so in the coming years.
Matip to depart?
This is not to say that Matip’s departure would not be a loss for Liverpool. He has been an important player for the team, and his departure would leave a gap in the squad. However, the team will need to make tough decisions in order to stay competitive in the future.
The likes of Josko Gvardiol and Max Kilman see themselves linked with a move to the Reds and could prove to be excellent additions to the squad. The club has a strong history of developing young players, and they will need to continue to do so in order to compete with the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea who have the owner’s backing, unlike the Reds.
In conclusion, Matip’s potential departure from Liverpool at the end of this season may be a tough one to take for fans, but it is a decision that the team could need to make in order to stay competitive in the long term.
Big Joel has been an important player for the club, but his poor form this season has made it almost clear that it may be time for him to move on in terms of the bigger picture of the club’s success as well as his career. His contract at the club ends in 2024 (Transfermarkt).
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Whether Matip stays or goes, Liverpool’s strong history of developing young players and bringing in new talent gives them hope for continued success in the future. As the team moves forward, they will certainly need to maintain a balance between their past achievements and embracing new opportunities for growth and development.
