Liverpool opinion: Are the Reds right to give Joel Matip a new deal?

According to a report from the Mirror, Liverpool are set to offer a new deal to Joel Matip in the coming days. The defender’s current deal with the club is set to expire at the end of next season and the Reds want to keep him at Anfield beyond that, after his impressive performances.

Liverpool are still alive in both the race for the Champions League as well as the Premier League this season. Manchester City are on a roll in the league and will retain their title if they win their remaining games.

In the Champions League, Jurgen Klopp’s side have the tough task of beating Lionel Messi and Barcelona.

The Reds don’t have it easy in either competition but the Champions League is a real possibility, especially with the incredible balance that they have had between the attack and the defence this season.

The Reds have scored 97 goals while conceding just 29 combined in both competitions, and a lot of their defensive excellence has been down to the presence of Virgil van Dijk and Alisson in their backline.

Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson have been nothing short of outstanding in their respective positions but one player who doesn’t seem to be getting enough credit is Joel Matip.

The Cameroonian started just 3 of Liverpool’s first 16 games in the Premier League before breaking his collar bone that kept him out of the busy festive period.

However, the 27-year-old has played every single minute since his return to action in January and Liverpool haven’t lost a game yet when he has featured.

Matip’s performances have been in Van Dijk’s shadow and rightly so, with the Dutchman being one of the main reasons for Liverpool to be where they are. But the Cameroon international has quietly done an outstanding job and pretty much deserves recognition with a new deal.

Matip will be just as instrumental as Van Dijk in the remaining games of the season and based on his performances, he should be above the likes of Dejan Lovren and Joe Gomez in Jurgen Klopp’s pecking order.

Conclusion

Joel Matip’s performances this season have been worthy of a new and improved deal and Liverpool shouldn’t think twice about offering him one soon.

Read more Liverpool news, click here: Liverpool latest news

The £70,000-a-week star will enter the final year of his contract at the start of next season and if the Reds delay contract talks, they will be at the risk of losing him for free at the end of next season.