Top 7 free transfers of all time – Liverpool

Number Two: Joel Matip

Joel Matip only has one season at the club, so the sample size is small, but what a player. The Cameroon international was Jurgen Klopp’s first signing at the club after leaving Schalke on a free in the summer of 2016. As a young defender he had impressed for the Bundesliga side and become a crucial at the heart of their defense. Despite interest from a number of big European sides Matip chose to work with Klopp and join the Reds.

Although it is only one season we can see what an incredible free transfer he is. He has the calmness in defending and composure on the ball we have missed since Sami Hyypia. To say we looked better with him in the side is an understatement. Every category improves with him in the side; win rate; goals conceded; tackles made; defensive errors. I still don’t feel good about our back four and goal keeper but slight worry turns into paranoid fear when he is missing.

There was controversy about his refusal to represent Cameroon at the African Cup of Nations, due his international retirement. During that time he did not play for the club to avoid any possible punishment. Liverpool’s defense turned as soft as a marshmallow in his absence. Many Reds still wake up at night screaming about our defense in January. I think I have PTSD.

Securing a top rate defender on a free transfer gives us a lot of transfer budget flexibility this season. It allows us to pursue a £70 million defensive partner in Southampton’s Virgil van Dijk. While the Dutchman is probably not worth such an exorbitant fee, a combined transfer outlay of £35 million each for van Dijk and Matip seems very reasonable. That is what quality free transfers can of offer us. I can’t wait to see how progresses in his sophomore year at Anfield.