Matip signs new Liverpool deal; Klopp hails ‘world-class center-half’

Liverpool now has two 28-year-old center backs tied up in deals for the next half-decade.

The Reds announced a new deal for Joel Matip on Friday, one that will keep him with Liverpool through the 2023/24 season.

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That’s one season beyond the status of Virgil van Dijk. While there were reports that Van Dijk would sign a new deal with the club, he remains locked into Liverpool through the end of the 2022/23 season.

Jurgen Klopp used the announcement to hail Matip’s journey through the Liverpool ranks. From LiverpoolFC.com:

“I knew what he was capable of from seeing him up close in the Bundesliga and we were certain he could bring that performance level to us. Of course, it is not easy for any player coming to the Premier League, let alone coming to a club the size of Liverpool, so maybe in the beginning there were some questions externally about his consistency. But not anymore. Joel has been operating as a world-class centre-half throughout this year and long may it continue.”

The Reds also have 22-year-old Joe Gomez under contract through 2024, while Dejan Lovren will enter the last year of his contract next season.

Liverpool also signed 17-year-old Sepp van den Berg from PEC Zwolle in the summer.

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