Change is imminent at Liverpool, as Jurgen Klopp set to concludes his remarkable nine-year stint at Anfield alongside his coaching team.
Additionally, Joel Matip is set to depart upon the expiration of his contract this summer, leaving a void in the defensive lineup. To fill this gap, the Reds are reportedly eyeing a promising talent from the Premier League.
Despite grappling with injuries throughout his tenure, including a recent season-ending ACL injury, Matip has undeniably left a significant mark on Liverpool’s success under Klopp.
His contributions have been integral to the club’s triumphs, encompassing titles such as the Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup, Super Cup, and Club World Cup. Remarkably, considering his arrival as a free agent, Matip is poised to be remembered as one of Liverpool’s most astute signings in history.
With the 32-year-old’s contract now set to expire, however, Liverpool must look towards the transfer market to secure a replacement this upcoming summer.
As per a report by Matt Law of The Telegraph, the Reds have shown interest in acquiring Marc Guehi, though the likelihood of a deal hinges on the identity of Jurgen Klopp’s successor and the appointment of a new sporting director at Anfield.
Furthermore, Liverpool may encounter competition from Manchester United in their pursuit of the Crystal Palace defender, especially if United succeed in securing the services of Dan Ashworth before the transfer window closes.
With summer looming, the Premier League rivalry could intensify if both teams make a move for Guehi.
“Amazing” Guehi Can Step Into Matip Role
While Ibrahima Konate has firmly established himself as Virgil van Dijk’s defensive counterpart this season, the opportunities granted to Jarell Quansah indicate the possibility of rotation within Liverpool’s defensive lineup, potentially providing Guehi with a boost if he finalizes a move.
The England international has demonstrated his capability to seamlessly integrate into such a setup this season as well. Let’s compare Guehi’s statistics with Matip’s to further assess his performance.
| Stats | Marc Guehi | Joel Matip |
|---|---|---|
| Progressive Carries | 13 | 8 |
| Progressive Passes | 58 | 34 |
| Tackles Won | 17 | 6 |
| Blocks | 22 | 16 |
“Guehi has already garnered a considerable fan base in England, with fellow countryman Harry Maguire expressing his admiration in a previous statement to BBC Sport:”
“Marc has done amazing. I think he left Chelsea at an amazing time when he had to play football.
“When you watch him play he doesn’t look like a young boy playing football. He’s a captain of Crystal Palace. He’s going to have a long career in the game. He has all the attributes you need to be a centre-back. The friendly in the first half at Scotland unfortunately he had to come off. He’s such a young boy playing with so much maturity.”
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