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Matip gets a lengthy extension

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Rosco

Worse than Brendan
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Joel Matip has today signed a new long-term contract with Liverpool Football Club.

The centre-back put pen to paper on the deal at Melwood on Friday afternoon, committing his future to the Reds.

Matip told Liverpoolfc.com moments after inking the terms: “It’s a great feeling to be a longer part of the club. It’s really just a great feeling.

“From outside, you know Liverpool is such a big club – but when you are inside, then you really get a feeling for how big the club is. In all the countries, the supporters are everywhere. It’s a massive and big club that I think every player would want to play for.

“We have a young and talented team and I think every one of us is hungry. Now we’ve seen how it is to win something and we want to have that feeling again.

“There are a lot of things still to achieve. You never know how it will end, you just have to work hard and do the best you can do. Then we will see.

“It is an honour to be a part of the club. It makes me happy that people think I’ve done a good job and they want to keep me.”

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Matip joined Liverpool on a free transfer from FC Schalke 04 in the summer of 2016 after graduating through the German club’s youth ranks and making more than 250 senior appearances for them – 194 of which were in the Bundesliga.

The 28-year-old has since gone on to represent the Reds 107 times, scoring on five occasions.

His performances at the heart of Jürgen Klopp’s side’s defence alongside Virgil van Dijk were integral in the club’s Champions League success last season and he even laid on an assist for Divock Origi’s crucial second in the Madrid final in June.

Matip already has two goals to his name so far this term – his best tally during a campaign for Liverpool – and is due to return to action on Sunday against Manchester United having missed the clashes with FC Salzburg and Leicester City due to a minor knock.
 
5 years is excessive.

3 with an option to extend by one year twice would have been better.

Good that’s we’ve signed him saying that.
 
5 years is excessive.

3 with an option to extend by one year twice would have been better.

Good that’s we’ve signed him saying that.
5 years is because otherwise we would have lost him for free and I would think we've convinced him to stay on 100-120k/week instead of the 150k+/week he can get a few other places.
 
5 years is because otherwise we would have lost him for free and I would think we've convinced him to stay on 100-120k/week instead of the 150k+/week he can get a few other places.

Incorrect, Klopp pushed for the 5 years apparently which is weird unless he plans to be here another 5 at least himself.
 
It is odd to give him such a long contract extension.

I find it refreshing that long term contracts are rewarded to players who deserve it rather than the usual "give him a contract so he doesn't leave on a free" routine. I do acknowledge the fact that perhaps we gave him that so he didn't leave on a free anyway but at least it doesn't outwardly seem that way. It puts us in a good light, that we show utmost loyalty to players who put in a shift for us and it gives them every reason to reciprocate in kind. I like to think not all footballers are mercenaries, well hopefully not for our players anyway.
 
Aren't clubs pushing more & more for longer contracts?

It seems to ebb and flow, this contract and release clause thing.

But generally, it seems to be more about securing a decent fee and protecting against the classic 'running your contract down', as opposed to really ensuring you keep the player for as long as possible (or as long as you want to).

But that balancing act is tricky (as Spurs, United, Real, Arsenal and many other clubs have seen all too clearly); you weigh up paying for maybe the last two years of a massive 5 year contract when that player isn't first choice but is earning huge wages, and doesn't want to move (or is earning too much to move), or you risk losing them before you want to and/ or on a free.

With Matip, it's maybe a bit of both. The peak years when we really want him will only be the next two or three. But contracts are usually a bit longer than 2-3 years, unless it's a simple extension/ pay rise
 
Doubt he’ll be here for the full length but can defo see him staying for 3 more seasons even if the last of those 3 is as a bit part player..
 
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