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Jose Enrique says Liverpool should sell Joel Matip and keep Nat Phillips, after Konate signing
Former Liverpool defender, Jose Enrique, has urged the club to sell Joel Matip and keep hold of Nat Phillips this summer, after the Reds confirmed the signing of Ibrahima Konate.
Jurgen Klopp finally got his man yesterday. Konate penning a long-term deal with the Reds after the club agreed to pay over £30m for him.
The signing of Konate has gone down well on Merseyside. However, it has left the club with six central defenders when they’re all fit. The likes of Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez are due back, while Joel Matip, Rhys Williams, and Nat Phillips are all on the books.
And out of those players, Enrique took to Instagram to suggest the club should keep Phillips, and sell Matip instead.
Liverpool also have Ben Davies on the books, while they have a number of younger players progressing through the ranks.
Matip, meanwhile, has won the Champions League with the Reds. Indeed, he’s a player who is highly rated by Jurgen Klopp, who called him an ‘incredible talent’ prior.
“Joel was always an incredible talent. He played as an 18-year-old boy for Schalke in the Bundesliga. In a world of big transfer fees, to sign a player like Joel Matip on a free transfer is incredible. It was maybe one of the best pieces of business we did in the last few years,” Klopp
Should Liverpool sell Joel Matip or Nat Phillips?
Surely the injury issues this season are a one off for Liverpool? They can’t endure the same bad luck again this year.
The amount of defenders the Reds now have mean someone is going to have to make way. Konate is not coming to Liverpool to sit around, and Van Dijk is basically the first name on the teamsheet.
With Matip, he certainly is someone who could leave. His injuries have hindered his career at Anfield massively. It would be a big shame to see Phillips sold, especially after his contribution this term.
All in all, Enrique isn’t far off in his assessment here. Further, it would rid the club of around £100k-a-week in wages. ()