Liverpool have officially announced that Joel Matip will leave the club at the end of the season.
With just one game to go before the curtain comes down on the 2023/24 campaign, Liverpool are getting their house in order.
Sunday’s final game against Wolves will obviously be dominated by Jurgen Klopp. After 491 games, the manager will wave an emotional farewell to Anfield.
But as announced today, there will be a couple of other notable farewells this weekend, too.
Matip will leave after eight years of service, with Thiago Alcantara also saying goodbye after four of his own. And with the news of Matip’s imminent departure now public knowledge, his good friend an long-time centre-back partner Virgil van Dijk has reacted.
Virgil van Dijk offers Joel Matip reaction
At their best, Van Dijk and Matip were one of Liverpool’s best ever centre-back pairings.
More than that though, the two men have always appeared to be close friends. With Van Dijk often spotted teasing Matip around the AXA Training Centre, their bond looks to be genuine.
This translated onto the pitch where their blend of cool, calm defending and physicality made them a formidable match for any forward.
When news that Matip is leaving was put out this morning, many people’s thoughts will have turned to Van Dijk’s reaction.
We’re sure that we’ll see and hear more from the skipper in the days to come. But for now, with Liverpool posting the news on their Instagram page, Virgil posted a simple love heart emoji to his friend.
We’re not crying!
Joel Matip ready for Anfield goodbye
The end of the season is always emotional. In recent years Liverpool fans have become used to saying goodbye to legends.
Sunday will obviously be something else entirely. There are legends and then there’s Jurgen Klopp.
Having said that, Matip – and Thiago’s – departures should not be simply brushed under the rug. Matip in particular has been a player who has really shone during Klopp’s time at the club.
It would have been nice to have seen more of him at times, but the former Cameroon international left his mark.
Currently recovering from an ACL injury suffered in December, it will be interesting to see whether Joel immediately moves to a new club or is granted permission to stick around the Liverpool facilities. Either way, it’s the end of the road for the big man.