Liverpool are sure to hand centre back Joel Matip a new contract after his sparking form last season, according to the Liverpool Echo.
The newspaper claims that the 6ft 4in Cameroon international [Source: Transfermarkt] is one of three Reds stars likely to be handed new deals in the near future.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is widely expected to be tied down on fresh terms imminently, while Matip’s centre back partner Virgil van Dijk could also be in line for a new deal.
Matip came on great guns over the second half of last campaign, making 31 appearances in total for Jurgen Klopp’s team.
OPINION
This is extremely well deserved for Matip after the transformation he performed last term. The former Schalke man had never quite lived up to the hype after what was viewed as an extremely shrewd free agent signing from the German giants. However, he realised all his potential over the second half of last season, forming a phenomenal partnership with Van Dijk at the heart of the defence and becoming a key part of Klopp’s team. He was only really given a chance initially because both Dejan Lovren and Joe Gomez were out injured, but he played so well that neither man could break back into the starting eleven once they were back to full fitness. The 27-year-old reportedly only has a year left on his current £100,000-per-week contract [Source: Spotrac], so now is the time to tie him down to fresh terms. If the Reds leave it too long then the Cameroonian will be able to look at a move abroad, so they need to follow through and extend Matip’s deal.
