Jamie Carragher says he’d sell 31-year-old Liverpool player if someone bids £10m

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Jamie Carragher has urged Liverpool to sell Joel Matip if a reasonable bid comes in this summer.

Matip has had a difficult season, dropping below Ibrahima Konate in the Reds centre-back pecking order. And with just a year left on his contract, Carragher has told Redmen TV that Jurgen Klopp should entertain offers of around £10m for the 31-year-old.

“I look at the defence and I think Joel Matip has got a year to go. If you got £10m, whatever the price may be, it’s probably right to move on,” said the Liverpool legend.

Addressing what other work Klopp may look to do in his defence over the coming months, Carragher said it’s vital that the manager brings in a left-sided centre-back.

“I do think we need a left-sided defender, a left-footed centre-back,” said the 45-year-old. “A lot of teams have them, we don’t. A left-sided player would add something. Rather than getting a left-back, because I don’t think we will, if we are going to continue with this formation now, (they should be) buying someone in that area. A centre-back who can do a full-back role. I definitely think a left-sided centre-back who can do that left-back job.”

Matip faces summer decision

This is hardly a controversial take from Carra. If someone puts up anything like £10m for Matip in the next few months, it would be a surprise for Liverpool to refuse it.

From a purely business point of view first of all, it makes complete sense. The Cameroonian was brought in on a free and has won virtually everything there is to win with Liverpool. Unbelievably, they’d still be making a big profit on Matip.

Should they keep hold of him another year, then they’ll lose him for exactly what they paid for him – nothing.

From a footballing viewpoint, it also seems the right time to move Matip on. He’s been an excellent servant for the club and will deservedly go down as one of the finest centre-backs in recent Liverpool history.

But over the last 12 months, his considerable powers have started to wane. Injuries have obviously taken their toll and in Konate, Liverpool have a clear upgrade already in the squad.

As they look to revolutionise their way of playing, the time feels right for the Reds to target a player who fits into that slightly better than Joel. Conversely, if there are no offers, we’ll happily hang onto him for another year.