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Joel Matip wants Liverpool stay despite reduced role

Liverpool defender Joel Matip is keen on remaining at the club beyond this summer, according to Sports Zone

The former Cameroonian international is in the final year of his contract at Anfield. He is widely expected to leave the Merseyside club but reportedly doesn’t want to use the exit door now.

The 32-year-old had arrived on a free transfer from Schalke 04 and played an instrumental role in helping the club become the juggernauts they are today under manager Jurgen Klopp.

Matip formed a brilliant partnership with Virgil Van Dijk. The physically imposing pair complemented each other well. 

Van Dijk sprayed passes to start attacks, while the Bochum-born defender was more adept at carrying the ball out from the back with his long strides.

However, Matip finds himself on the periphery this season, making only 14 appearances in all competitions, with Klopp preferring to partner Van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate. Even young defender Jarell Quansah has moved above the veteran in the pecking order.

Despite the reduced role, he still wants to continue his eight-year association with the club, but it remains to be seen whether directors Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes will give him that contract extension.

If he doesn’t get the new deal, there is interest in his services back in Germany, with Eintracht Frankfurt looking to bolster their backline with an experienced centre-half.

Paris Saint-Germain had been previously linked with a move for Matip, who has made over 200 appearances for Liverpool. But they likely won’t be in the running for his signature anymore despite still looking for a new defender.

If Edwards and Hughes decide not to give Matip that new deal, they must sign a replacement. 

They may even have to sign more than one centre-back if they bring in managerial targets like Xabi Alonso and Ruben Amorim, who play a three-at-the-back system.

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