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Liverpool 'open to offers for Joel Matip this summer'

Liverpool 'open to offers for Joel Matip this summer'
© Reuters
Liverpool are reportedly open to summer offers for centre-back Joel Matip, whose contract at Anfield expires at the end of next season.

Liverpool are reportedly prepared to entertain offers for centre-back Joel Matip this summer.

The ex-Cameroon international has fallen out of favour this season under Jurgen Klopp, with Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk forming the Reds' first-choice centre-back pairing.

Joe Gomez has also been preferred in the middle of the backline this term, but Konate and Van Dijk's hamstring injuries have led to a recent recall for Matip.

However, the 31-year-old suffered a disastrous afternoon against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday, scoring an own goal with just five minutes on the clock at Molineux.

Matip hesitated following a long ball over the top to Hwang Hee-chan, whose cross deflected off the legs of the centre-back before hitting the inside of the post and trickling over the line.

Liverpool's Joel Matip scores an own goal and Wolverhampton Wanderers first on February 4, 2023© Reuters

The Reds went on to lose 3-0 to Julen Lopetegui's side, and Matip was one of several players to receive heavy criticism after Liverpool's third successive away defeat in the top flight.

With the former Schalke 04 man only under contract at Liverpool until 2024, Football Insider claims that Klopp's side are ready to sell him for the right price this summer.

Matip's worsening performances means that a contract extension is unlikely, and Liverpool are therefore ready to sell him at the end of the season rather than risk letting him go for free at the end of next season.

The defender has been a fan favourite at Anfield since joining on a free transfer from Schalke in 2016, scoring 10 goals and providing six assists in 181 appearances in all tournaments.

Having regularly partnered Van Dijk at the back, Matip has won the Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup, EFL Cup, Club World Cup, Community Shield and UEFA Super Cup during his six-and-a-half years with Liverpool.

Liverpool's Joel Matip shields the ball from Arsenal's Alexandre Lacazette on January 20, 2022© Reuters

Matip has one goal to show from his 15 appearances in a Liverpool shirt this season, netting against Ajax in the Champions League, but he has only started seven Premier League matches.

The Cameroonian is not the only centre-back expected to leave Liverpool in the summer, as the out-of-favour Nat Phillips is also likely to depart in search of pastures new.

The Englishman was seemingly on the verge of an exit during the January transfer window, but Konate's injury blow meant that the Reds blocked his deadline-day departure.

However, Phillips has played just five times for Liverpool in all tournaments during the 2022-23 season, and Galatasaray are thought to be admirers of the 25-year-old.

Liverpool remain 10th in the Premier League table following Saturday's defeat to Wolves and are next in action at home to Merseyside rivals Everton on February 13.

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6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton115421915419
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19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves111371627-116
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