Liverpool expansion list: If Reds could only keep 11, who would they be?

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GELSENKIRCHEN, GERMANY – OCTOBER 04: Joel Matip of Schalke runs with the ball during the Bundesliga match between FC Schalke 04 and 1. FC Koeln at Veltins-Arena on October 4, 2015 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Bongarts/Getty Images) /

5. Joel Matip

Between the Bundesliga and Europa League, Matip played 41 matches, scored four goals, assisted three more and only picked up three yellow cards. It would take Lucas Leiva two games to get to three yellow cards.

Liverpool stole Matip for free. A 24 year old Bundesliga proven central defender, if he had four years on his contract, how much would Liverpool have had to purchase him for? Something like £20million at least, that’s a conservatively fair figure.

Of course, Liverpool did need to pay Matip a signing-on-fee, but still. Much less and much easier than negotiating with Schalke. Matip should walk into a crowded first team in defense with Dejan Lovren and Mamadou Sakho, with the latter two likely battling to partner Matip.

Next: 6.

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