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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…
Liverpool have triggered a clause in Joel Matip’s contract to extend his current deal by a year, report The Athletic.
What’s the latest?
Matip joined the Reds on a free transfer in 2016 having spent seven years at Schalke, and with his current Liverpool deal set to expire next summer the club seem to be keen to ensure they don’t lose him in a similar fashion.
The Cameroon international has received many plaudits in his time at Anfield and last season secured his place as Jurgen Klopp’s main defensive partner for Virgil van Dijk, although injuries to Joe Gomez and Dejan Lovren also contributed to that.
His average of 34 appearances a season underlines his importance to the team and suggests the management and fans alike will be pleased to see his deal extended.
Given he will be 30 when contract expires in 2021 it is an extension which should suit both teams, and by that point the likes of Gomez and perhaps even Sepp van den Berg could have established themselves as first-team players.
Has he been a success?
Even under Klopp, Liverpool’s defence has been their primary weak spot over the last few years, and it was an area which only improved once van Dijk arrived at the club.
However, Matip did make an impact upon signing, and his performances were a marked improvement on the likes of Kolo Toure, Martin Skrtel and Dejan Lovren, with Liverpool’s defence often criticised in 2015/16 when they conceded 50 Premier League goals.
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Last season the Reds conceded just 11 goals in the 17 league games in which the centre-back started, whilst he has also proved useful in the opposition’s penalty area at times.
Given he was signed for nothing he has been a very successful addition for the Anfield outfit, and if he can maintain his performance levels or improve as he has done so far, then he should be able to win more trophies with the club.
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