Liverpool affirm that Joel Matip will go away the membership on the finish of the season, as Jurgen Klopp pays tribute to the defender after eight trophy-laden years at Anfield

Liverpool have confirmed that Joel Matip will go away the membership on the finish of the season, after spending eight years with the Merseyside giants. 

The 32-year-old, who joined the Reds from German aspect Schalke in 2016, is ready to embark on a brand new chapter in his profession after his profitable time at Liverpool. 

The membership confirmed the information on Friday morning and in a press release on their web site, the defender bid farewell with an emotional message.

‘It has been eight great years right here in Liverpool,’ he mentioned.

‘I used to be allowed to be a part of an thrilling historical past with an excellent coach and an astonishing workforce in a rare membership. We have now achieved nice titles and have the perfect followers on the planet.

‘I’m filled with gratitude for the great time I used to be in a position to expertise with these distinctive individuals supporting the membership and the followers who love Liverpool FC.

‘My spouse and I’ve felt welcomed and supported from day one and along with the children we had the perfect possible time right here. We’ll all the time hold it in particular reminiscences.’

Matip has been a constant characteristic in Klopp’s aspect over the past eight years and can go away the membership with a formidable trophy haul. 

He is gained seven trophies with the Reds together with a Premier League title, a Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup. 

Maybe his greatest second for Liverpool got here of their Champions League closing victory over Spurs in 2019, the place he assisted Divock Origi for his or her second purpose. 

In one other assertion on their web site, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp additionally paid tribute to the central defender.

Klopp mentioned: ‘In all of the years that I’ve been concerned in soccer, I’m not positive I’ve come throughout too many gamers who’re extra cherished than Joel Matip. I am not even positive it could be attainable to say something dangerous about him.

‘An exquisite skilled, an exquisite footballer and an exquisite human being – we have now been blessed to have him with us for so long as we have now and now all we will do is want him effectively as he heads off in a brand new course.

‘Joel’s qualities as a participant are there for all to see and as a membership we have now benefited from them for the reason that first second that he joined. I do not assume he has had too many headlines over time however he has solely ever been a really well-known determine inside our group.

‘I’ve mentioned earlier than that if there was one one who would not care if he was underrated it could be Joel, however the reality is we couldn’t have rated him extra extremely. Not solely has he set the requirements for himself, he has set them for others and this is among the major explanation why his time right here has been so profitable.’