Former Liverpool defender Joel Matip has announced his retirement from football

Liverpool send message to Joel Matip after news today

Connor is a professional sports writer from Liverpool, UK. He currently writes for Breaking Media Limited on liverpoolnews247.com, as well as other sites. Connor is soon to have a Masters degree in Sports Journalism from Liverpool John Moores and will soon be NCTJ qualified. He has previously worked for the Liverpool ECHO and Planet Sport. Connor comes from a split Liverpool and Everton family but fell in love with Liverpool after a trip to Anfield when he was a child. He recently attended Jurgen Klopp's last trophy win in the Carabao Cup final in 2024.

Published on:

12 Oct 2024, 8:00 am

Liverpool have sent a heartfelt tribute to former defender Joel Matip upon announcing his retirement from football.

The Reds sent a tribute to Matip on X (12 October) after the news emerged the former Liverpool man had announced his retirement.

Matip has been without a club since leaving the Reds at the end of the season and despite links of a return to the Premier League with West Ham United, the centre-back has called time on his illustrious career.

The 33-year-old arrived at Anfield in the summer of 2016 on a free transfer from Schalke and won the biggest honours throughout an eight-year stint with the club.

Liverpool sent tribute to Joel Matip

This one will sting for Liverpool fans, they were robbed of a farewell at the end of the season as a cruciate ligament tear sustained in December ended his final campaign on Merseyside.

Matip became one of the most beloved Reds of recent years, he exuded charisma both on and off the pitch and was an integral cog to the Jurgen Klopp side who won everything football has to offer.

His partnership with Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk was formidable in the Premier League, his dazzling runs through the middle of the pitch confused opposition defences, not to mention his assist to Divock Origi for the deciding goal in the 2019 Champions League final triumph against Tottenham.

Congratulations on an excellent career, Joel 🙌

All the best in your retirement ❤️ pic.twitter.com/y93YeBR8do
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) October 12, 2024

He was an upstanding professional throughout his years at Liverpool but was eventually fazed out of the side with the signing of Ibrahima Konate, who has excelled in his place, and his long-term injury led to the resurgence of Jarell Quansah from the academy.

Matip will arguably go down as one of the best free-agent signings in Liverpool history and he will be fondly remembered for all he achieved at Anfield.

In other Liverpool news, 'Stupid' Virgil van Dijk was slammed by National media after Netherlands draw.

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