Liverpool Expected to Stick with Matip

With the last-minute winter window signings of Ozan Kabak and Ben Davies, along with rumours of transfer moves for Dayot Upamencano and/or Ibrahim Konate swirling, one would think that a centre-back corp reshaping is in the cards. Logically, we would be looking at at least one summer addition, with probably one of the winter signings sticking around. With his constant injury issues, Joel Matip looks like the odd man out at Liverpool FC.

In a Q&A with Ian Doyle of the ECHO, Matip’s future was brought up. Doyle’s reply was that he expects Matip to be retained beyond the 2020/21 campaign:

He’s injured his ankle ligaments and won’t be playing again this season. With his contract running until 2024, there’s no rush to move Matip on.

It may well be that next term Liverpool have a surfeit of centre-backs – just in case.

This makes sense. It’s going to be difficult to move a player with three seasons remaining on his deal and having just played ten games this season, Matip’s value is probably at an all-time low. I’m sure no one will mind if we head into next season with a healthy headcount in the centre-back department. Perhaps, Matip will drop down the pecking order but he’s arguably been the best partner for Virgil van Dijk... when he’s been healthy. We’ll see. The immediate future of the heart of Liverpool’s defence is definitely in flux and intriguing.