Liverpool are ready to extend deals of veteran duo Thiago Alcantara and Joel Matip, with their existing contracts expiring next summer.
According to Caught Offside, Liverpool could begin negotiations to extend the contracts of Thiago Alcantara and Joel Matip. The Reds have yet to fully decide on the details, and their absolute intent to do so. But Jurgen Klopp values the veteran duo as important players.
Thiago Alcantara was supposed to bring a new dimension to Jurgen Klopp’s ideas at Liverpool and joined the club at a time when they had only won the Premier League title. After an above-average first campaign, Thiago began to show his quality. But injuries have played a massive part in halting his progress.
For his experience, the Spanish international has had a terrible time with niggling injuries that have also forced him to miss all games this season so far. Klopp has led Liverpool to an unbeaten start to the season and kick-started their Europa League campaign with a comeback victory over LASK.
However, the manager feels Thiago’s presence would bring some assuredness to his midfield and will wait for the Spaniard to recover from his latest problem. The midfielder decided to stay at the club despite a summer where some teams from abroad were keen to sign him.
While there was Saudi interest, Al-Ahli were the latest side to enquire. Thiago had heavy links to join one of the Middle Eastern clubs and then later to Turkey.
Trabzonspor reported offered him a €7.5 million a season deal, which would have been lucrative enough for any player his age to consider. Yet, Thiago decided to stay put and test himself. Liverpool are now planning to open talks over a new deal for the Spanish international, as his current agreement expires next summer.
Similarly, they are also pondering offering veteran Joel Matip a new contract and keeping him at the club. Matip, who has been at Liverpool since 2016, has proven himself integral to Klopp’s plans over the years. His partnership with Virgil van Dijk has constantly gone under the radar due to the stature of his Dutch colleague.
While the report says Liverpool are leaning more towards extending Thiago’s deal, they might think more about Matip’s. The Cameroonian defender did not start the first two games of the Premier League season but has since played in the next five.
Matip still has a big role to play, but Liverpool are actively looking for a new, younger defender to join their ranks either in the coming January window or next summer. Either way, it will threaten Matip’s place starting immediately, which may see the 32-year-old depart.
However, as things stand, Liverpool seem open to extending the contracts of the veteran duo but are yet to begin formal talks with either. In the coming period, things could progress, as well as reveal the club’s intentions regarding the two 32-year-old veterans.