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According to the Telegraph, Liverpool are set to reward James Milner and Joel Matip with new contracts after their excellent efforts in the 2018/19 season – climaxing with a Champions League final win on Saturday.
Both men arrived at the club on free transfers, with Matip signing after leaving Schalke and Milner swapping Manchester City for Merseyside, and after featuring in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Tottenham both have proved fantastic pieces of business.
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Matip, a Cameroon international, has starred alongside Virgil van Dijk in the second half of the campaign, whilst 33-year-old Milner’s energy and versatility has been a major asset for Jurgen Klopp; the former England man has filled in at both left-back and right-back as well as his preferred role of central midfield.
So, are Liverpool right to line up new contracts for the pair or should they be looking to replace them when their current deals expire? Football FanCast’s writers have their say below…
Matt Dawson
“Liverpool are absolutely right to hand new deals to Matip and Milner. The former hadn’t particularly set the world alight until Joe Gomez’s injury gave him an extended run in the side. Since then he’s been fantastic and more than warrants a new contract. As for Milner, there aren’t too many better professionals in the game. Giving him new terms is a no brainer, such is his ability to play in a variety of positions.”
Harry Sherlock
“This is a prime example of sentiment getting in the way of actual progress. Both players have played important roles this season and their Premier League title challenge but neither, really, are good enough. Matip can absolutely be upgraded in defence and he absolutely should be. Milner, meanwhile, is a jack of all trades and there has to be a younger, better alternative. Bin them both off.”
Luke Glanville
“Liverpool should definitely offer Milner and Matip new deals. They would be stupid not to. The former is still contributing heavily to the team in multiple positions despite being 33 – he is an essential part of the Anfield fabric. And the latter is the only Reds centre-back to have looked anything like the much-needed fellow world-class partner to Virgil van Dijk, as Gomez struggles with injuries.”
