Liverpool are ready to offer their 32-year-old defender Joel Matip a new deal if he is willing to settle for a backup role.
According to a report by Football Insider, Liverpool are keen on having Joel Matip in their ranks for a few more years and they are ready to offer him a new deal. But, only if the 32-year-old is willing to accept a secondary role at the club.
Matip came through the ranks at FC Schalke and made quite a name for himself while playing for their first team. Back in the summer of 2016, he decided to join Liverpool on a free transfer after his contract at the German club ran out.
Since joining the Reds, he has helped them win numerous titles and has featured in a total of 192 matches. He has even contributed towards 17 goals. Initially, he was an integral part of the first team under Jurgen Klopp but of late the 32-year-old has fallen down the pecking order.
Last season he featured in a total of just 21 matches across all competitions. The Cameroon international is currently their fourth-choice centre-back. However, with his contract running out next summer, Klopp is keen on extending his stay at the club.
While the 32-year-old is not an important part of their first-team setup, the German manager believes his experience could help their cause. As a result, the club are ready to offer him a new deal. They want Matip to extend his stay but only if the player is willing to accept a secondary role at the club.
He is unlikely to be the first-choice centre-back and if he is happy to contribute as a back-up, the Merseyside club are ready to offer him a few more years at the club.
With his contract running out, he is free to reach a pre-agreement with a foreign club from January. As a result, Liverpool are looking to sort out the situation in the coming months.
The club have started talks with the 32-year-old’s representatives over a new deal. The talks are in the initial stages as of now. And, it will be interesting to see if Matip agrees to a backup role at the club. Meanwhile, he has already featured in four matches this season. He has started three of those games following Virgil van Dijk’s suspension.
