LIVERPOOL have announced that popular duo Joel Matip and Thiago Alcantara will be leaving the club amid Jurgen Klopp’s departure.
The Reds were rocked in January when their German manager announced that he would be leaving Anfield after nine years in charge.
Now the Cameroon defender, 32, will follow him out of the exit door along with the 33-year-old Spanish midfielder when their contracts expire in June.
Matip was one of Klopp’s first signings when he arrived as a free agent following a spell at Schalke 04.
And he played a key role under the German in securing a number of trophies, including the Premier League title, for the club during his eight years.
Led by the boss, Matip helped Liverpool to end their three decade wait to be champions as they lifted the Premier League in 2020.
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That came 12 months after he had lifted the Champions League.
Thiago joined the summer after the title triumph for £20m from Bayern Munich, and both he and Matip were celebrating double cup joy in the 2020/21 campaign as the Reds won the League and FA Cups – although the Spaniard missed the first of those finals through injury.
Matip suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury against Fulham in December that has sidelined him since.
Thiago’s own injury issues have restricted him to just 28 appearances last season and he has only featured once this term due to fitness issues – meaning both missed out on collecting another League Cup medal.
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On Matip, who will exit with 201 appearances, 11 goals and seven winner’s medals to his name, Klopp said: “In all the years that I have been involved in football, I am not sure I have 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.
“A wonderful professional, a wonderful footballer and a wonderful human being – we have been blessed to have him with us for as long as we have and now all we can do is wish him well as he heads off in a new direction.
“Joel’s qualities as a player are there for all to see and as a club we have benefited from them since the first moment that he joined. I don’t think he has had too many headlines over the years but he has only ever been a very famous figure within our group.
“I have said before that if there was one person who wouldn’t care if he was underrated it would be Joel, but the truth is we could not have rated him more highly.
“Not only has he set the standards for himself, he has set them for others and this is one of the main reasons why his time here has been so successful.”
Matip said: “It has been eight wonderful years here in Liverpool.
“I was allowed to be part of an exciting history with a great coach and an astonishing team in an extraordinary club. We have achieved great titles and have the best fans in the world.
“I am full of gratitude for the wonderful time I was able to experience with these unique people supporting the club and the fans who love Liverpool FC.
“My wife and I have felt welcomed and supported from day one and together with the kids we had the best imaginable time here.
“We will always keep it in special memories.”
On Thiago, who added FA Cup and FA Community Shield medals to his collection while on Merseyside, Klopp said: “Before he even came to Liverpool I believed that if you really love football it would make a lot of sense if you watched Thiago Alcantara play.
“Technically, he is so, so good. A talent who could play in any team in the world and it was a privilege to have him with us.
“I already knew a lot about him as a footballer before he got here – what he did at Barcelona and Bayern Munich, how could you not? – and I could not have been happier when he decided to take on a new challenge with us.
“From that point on I got to see him up close and all I can say is ‘Wow’. Most importantly, he was part of a new story and helped us develop as a team because of his special qualities.
“I know injuries have been a frustration for him and also for us but the level that he was able to play at when he was available was incredible. This is what I will remember.
“Now he will go in a new direction with his family and we can only wish them well. Wherever he plays next I would be happy to watch. An artist of the game who will only ever paint the most beautiful pictures.”
THIAGO’S FAREWELL STATEMENT
The Spanish midfielder has released his own goodbye:
“Appreciation and gratitude. They are two words that come to mind on the day I have to say goodbye to all of you, Reds.
“Thankful, too. Thankful for the opportunity to have been a part of this city, this club and this community,” he wrote.
“The continuous support I have received since day one has been incredible. Anfield cheering, The Kop chanting… amazing, overwhelming.
“A very unique fan base for a unique club.
“These past four years have been a time of learning for me and my family.
“Some wins, some defeats, but without a doubt, a life-changing experience.
“Team mates, coaches, staff, and club employees: you were all part of it. And to the fans, I don’t have the words.
“Just know you will have my deepest gratitude forever.
“Thank you, it was an honour. All the best always, Liverpool FC.”
While the two players and Klopp will make an emotional farewell to the Kop against Wolves in his final game on Sunday, two of his staff members are looking forward to an exciting new challenge.
His assistant Pepijn Lijnders will take over as Red Bull Salzburg manager after he departs Liverpool.
And he will be joined at the Austrian Bundesliga giants by fellow Anfield coach Vitor Matos, who will go as his No.2.
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Feyenoord manager Arne Slot, 45, is widely-believed to have already agreed to become Liverpool’s new boss for next season.
And fans are just waiting for the formalities to be completed and an official announcement to be made with the Dutchman set to move into Klopp’s house on Merseyside.
Klopp has botched his Liverpool exit… and it’s cost him his legacy, says Dave Kidd
By Dave Kidd
NOW we know Jurgen Klopp’s final major trophy haul at Liverpool — one Champions League, one Premier League, one FA Cup, two League Cups and (if you must) a World Club Cup.
But where does his reign stand among the greatest of the Premier League era?
In black-and-white terms, Klopp is way behind Sir Alex Ferguson and Pep Guardiola, the only two men to have won multiple Premier Leagues and a Champions League at the same club.
Those two sit alongside Brian Clough, Bob Paisley and Sir Matt Busby as the undoubted all-time managerial greats of the English game.
But Klopp ranks in the next tier down — with Arsene Wenger, Jose Mourinho (the Chelsea version), Bill Shankly and Don Revie.
These were all men with the strength of character to transform their clubs in their own image and enjoy success but who did not win as much as they might have done.
Had Klopp managed to keep his intentions under wraps and ended up with another title, perhaps even a treble or quadruple, he’d have edged himself up into that highest echelon with Ferguson, Guardiola, Clough, Paisley and Busby.
But deciding the timing and the manner of your exit is one of the toughest calls for any manager or sportsman.
Klopp got it wrong.
Read Dave Kidd’s take on Klopp’s demise in full here.
Or click here to check out all of Dave Kidd’s articles.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
