Journalist: “Fully anticipate” Liverpool star leaving Anfield next

Joel Matip, a center back for Liverpool, is expected to quit the team when his contract expires next summer, according to James Pearce. The Athletic journalist argues that because he “fully expects” Matip to leave, the Reds must decide quickly how they want to restructure their defense next summer. He makes this claim on the Walk On podcast.

Liverpool required a radical approach in the summer window after placing fifth in the Premier League last season, and they were quite successful in repurposing their midfield.

A number of fresh faces have joined the team in place of the old guard, which included players like Jordan Henderson, Naby Keita, and Fabinho. Making significant adjustments to every aspect of the field would have been unfair, thus Jurgen Klopp made the right decision by maintaining the present defensive lineup.

But Klopp cannot ignore the problems at the back; eventually, the team needs to make significant changes, whether in January or the following summer.

With Joel Matip’s contract expiring in the summer of 2019, the club is also aware of the necessity for succession planning, according to Pearce.

“I completely anticipate him leaving in 2024, so the question is what should you do?

Do you hire a new employee in January who might have six months to settle in before Matip departs?

“Or do you wait until May before addressing it?

“And then of course, the situation where [Virgil] Van Dijk will be in his final year and there’ll be a decision there as well,” the author continued.

Matip has done a fantastic job serving the club. He joined the Reds in 2016 after being acquired by Klopp from Schalke, and he has since made 189 appearances in all competitions.

He was instrumental in Liverpool’s 2019–20 Premier League championship, but last season, he appeared weary.

His physical condition continues to be a top concern for the club, along with Joe Gomez. Over the years, he and Virgil van Dijk have developed a solid defensive connection, but the Reds are not likely to extend his contract.

Young Jarell Quansah has been selected for the senior team this season because Klopp has demonstrated a strong desire to discover talent from the youth. He has appeared to be pretty reliable at the back, but if Matip departs the team, more seasoned men are required.