Liverpool defender wants to remain at the club despite contract talks stalling | OneFootball

Liverpool defender Joel Matip is keen on remaining at the club beyond this summer, according to Sports Zone.

The former Cameroonian international is in the final year of his contract. He is widely expected to leave the club but reportedly doesn’t want to use the exit door now.

The 32-year-old initially arrived on a free transfer from Schalke 04 and has played an instrumental role in helping Liverpool return to the upper reaches of the Premier League.

Matip formed a brilliant partnership with Virgil Van Dijk, with the physically imposing pair complementing each other well.

Van Dijk sprayed passes to start attacks, while the Bochum-born defender was more adept at carrying the ball out from the back with his long strides.

However, Matip is on the periphery this season, making only 14 appearances in all competitions.

Jurgen Klopp has preferred to partner Van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate. Young defender Jarell Quansah has also moved above the veteran in the pecking order.

Despite the reduced role, he still wants to continue his eight-year association with the club, but it remains to be seen whether directors Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes will extend his contract.

Matip will not be short of options if he leaves the club, with Eintracht Frankfurt and Paris Saint-Germain among the clubs linked with him.

If Edwards and Hughes decide not to give Matip a new deal, they must sign a replacement.

They may even have to sign more than one centre-back if they appoint Xabi Alonso or Ruben Amorim as manager, with each playing a three-at-the-back system.