On Sunday, Liverpool will not only see the end of Jürgen Klopp’s chapter. The Reds also bid farewell to Joel Matip and Thiago
Liverpool FC have announced two days before the final game of the season that Joel Matip and Thiago will leave the club in the summer. Their contracts expire and will not be renewed.
Matip played at Liverpool for eight years and was one of Jürgen Klopp’s first new signings. Born in Bochum, he moved to the island from Schalke 04 on a free transfer in 2016 and has since played 201 competitive matches for the Reds. His greatest successes were winning the Champions League in 2019 and the Premier League title a year later.
“In all the years I’ve been involved in soccer, I’m not sure I’ve come across too many players who are more loved than Joel Matip. I’m not even sure it would be possible to say anything bad about him,” Klopp said of Matip, who is still recovering from the effects of a cruciate ligament rupture. Klopp described the 32-year-old central defender as “a wonderful professional, a wonderful footballer and a wonderful person”: “We were blessed to have him with us for so long and now we can only wish him all the best as he takes a new direction. “
Thiago leaves after a difficult season
A little later, the Reds also announced the departure of Thiago, whose contract is also coming to an end. The Spanish midfielder moved to Anfield Road in 2020 after Bayern won the treble and played 98 competitive matches in four years. In 2022, he lifted the English Cup with Liverpool FC, scoring a goal in a 6-5 penalty shoot-out victory.
The 33-year-old has only made one appearance this season due to injury. “I know injuries have been frustrating for him and for us, but the level he was able to play at when he was available was incredible. I will remember that,” emphasized Klopp.
Sunday’s home game against Wolverhampton Wanderers will be the final curtain-raiser for Matip and Thiago at Liverpool. It will be an emotional farewell for Klopp alone
