Former Liverpool defender could join forces with Liverpool legend in Bundesliga

Joel Matip who just departed Liverpool could soon be managed by a familiar face at Anfield.

Fan favourite Joel Matip said a difficult goodbye to the Anfield faithful at the end of last season, as the Cameroonian departed from Liverpool as a free agent after eight seasons with the club. Matip's departure this summer felt inevitable, even from last year, as the 32-year-old centre-back failed to remain a suitable starter for Jurgen Klopp. Now, Joel Matip may link up with a Liverpool legend in Germany.

Former Liverpool defender could join forces with Liverpool legend in Bundesliga

Florian Plettenberg of Sky Germany is reporting that Joel Matip, following his exit from Anfield, is in talks to join Bayer Leverkusen. Liverpool legend Xabi Alonso, who played for the Reds between 2004 and 2009, has transformed Bayer Leverkusen into one of the best clubs in world football after becoming the club's manager in 2022.

Plettenberg states Alonso wants to sign a veteran centre-back to the Leverkusen backline, a box Matip absolutely checks off. Born and raised in Bochum, Germany, Matip has spent his entire career with only two clubs, Liverpool and Schalke. Leverkusen will be back in the Champions League next season, and Matip will be able to bring 54 games of CL experience to a very young Leverkusen side.

Joel Matip was linked to Serie A sides AS Roma and Lazio last month, although links on that front have gone completely cold. Matip is, of course, not the defender he was 2-3 years ago, but clearly, top-level clubs are still interested in signing the former Liverpool defender. His cruciate ligament tear injury last season will likely put teams off from offering contracts for more than two years.