Given the quality of the playing staff at Liverpool, those who are released rarely struggle to find a club.
For example, Naby Keita, James Milner, Jordan Henderson and Roberto Firmino all swiftly found new clubs after being released by Liverpool in 2023, as did Divock Origi and Georginio Wijnaldum in the years before.
Now – however – a player who served Liverpool incredibly well is actually struggling to find a new home…
Joel Matip struggling to find new club after Liverpool release
A story from Der Westen in Germany now claims that Joel Matip is struggling to find a new club, after his contract with Liverpool expired at the end of last season.
The German news outlet state that the man from Bochum’s salary demands of €6m-a-year (£5m) are proving to be problematic.
Matip’s patchy injury record – which saw him miss a total of 140 games across eight years at Liverpool – is also a factor which is putting some clubs off the man Virgil van Dijk called an “incredible” player.
Der Westen even describe the situation as a “bitter end” for the 32-year-old, which will surely upset some Liverpool fans given everything he did for the Reds.
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Matip made a total of 201 appearances for Liverpool – scoring 11 goals and providing six assists – as he helped Jurgen Klopp win the Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup across eight years, not to mention the FA Community Shield.
Michael Edwards already hunting for a replacement
We – and presumably many Liverpool fans – hope Matip finds a new club soon, but in the meantime, life goes on at Anfield as Michael Edwards attempts to replace the Cameroonian.
Liverpool are believed to have made contact with Bologna to ask about Italy international Riccardo Calafiori – to give just one example of how the Reds are looking to replace Matip.
The Bologna No.33 – however – is now expected to join Arsenal.
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Elsewhere, we understand Liverpool admire Lille No.15 Leny Yoro, but are fearful that the Frenchman will join Real Madrid.
Furthermore, Liverpool are also said to be keen on signing Crystal Palace No.6 Marc Guehi.
READ MORE: Liverpool make move to sign “world class” free agent
Be sure to keep an eye on developments at Anfield, as we expect Liverpool to replace Matip this summer.