Liverpool FC boss Jurgen Klopp is all set to bring long-time target German-born Cameroon international Joel Matip to bolster the defence line at Anfield and an official bid has already been placed.
The 6ft 4in towering Joel Matip has had a good season for Schalke in the Bundesliga, scoring three goals so far but his contract with the German side runs out at the end of the season. According to Sky Sports, although the club wants to keep him and sign a new deal, Matip is considering a career move.
Jurgen Klopp’s side has suffered tremendously due to a faulty and mostly injured defence line and the 24-year-old defender is just the right answer to their problems. To add to his defensive prowess Matip is also an aerial threat, which would be a welcome change to a defence line missing aerial presence.
Matip ‘In’ might mean someone else’s ‘Out’
If Matip joins Liverpool FC, he’ll share space with seven more defenders battling for a first-team spot — Martin Skrtel, Joe Gomez, Mamadou Sakho, Dejan Lovren, Tiago Ilori, Kolo Toure and Steven Caulker.
Martin Skrtel is suffering from a hamstring injury and will only make a return sometime in February and Joe Gomez is ruled out for the rest of the season. Joel Matip might become a starter for the squad, but his arrival surely means an inevitable departure from among the back seven.
Liverpool FC have conceded the most number of goals among the top 10 clubs on the league table with 32 goals in 23 matches.
Although Matip can be signed up for free on a Bosman, Klopp is looking to bring the defender in the January transfer window and might have to battle for the defender’s signature as reportedly he has few more suitors from Ligue 1.