OPINION
Liverpool are ready to reward centre-back Joel Matip for a string of impressive performances with a new contract, according to Football Insider, and it’s fully deserved for a player who’s delivered on and off the pitch this season.
Football Insider claims Liverpool are keen to tie him down to a new contract with his £100k-a-week current deal set to expire in 2020, and are ready to open talks.
The Cameroon international arrived on a free transfer from Schalke in 2016 and he’s made 94 appearances since then.
He made 27 starts in the 16/17 season, 22 in the 17/18 season and so far this season has started 16 times, helping Liverpool to the Premier League’s best defensive record in the process.
But he’s had to be patient. He only started three of the first 20 games this season, but since Joe Gomez’ injury he’s started the last 13 and put in some brilliant performances, including a man-of-the-match display in the 2-0 win against Cardiff.
Helping deliver the Premier League title should be enough to make him a fan favourite.
But, if supporters remember what Matip said in December, when he wasn’t get a look-in and was behind Gomez and Dejan Lovren in the pecking order, his hero status on Anfield should be guaranteed.
Talking in the Daily Star Matip said, “Sometimes there are always parts in the game when you are a player and you are not playing that much. Of course that is not what I wished but I have to work hard, learn from it.
“We have a high-quality squad but I think this is good for the team. No-one can rest because there is always pressure from someone in the rest of the squad.”
An attitude like this is refreshing in the modern game and Matip has worked hard and put himself back in the heart of a Liverpool defence that could deliver the Premier League title to Anfield for the first time.
A juicy new contract is just what Matip deserves.