Joel Matip makes admission over Liverpool future

Joel Matip has revealed that he would be happy if he finished his career without playing for another club, but admitted he doesn't know what the future will bring.

32-year-old Matip is now one of Liverpool's longest serving first-team players, having joined the club on a free transfer from Schalke back in 2016.

Liverpool and Schalke remain the only two clubs the centre back has ever represented at senior level and, although his contract at Anfield is due to expire in 2024, it seems Matip is not eyeing up his next club just yet.

When asked about his plans, Matip told Sky Germany: "I'm at an age where I don’t worry so much about the future anymore.

“I try to make the most of every day and don’t look too far ahead. If in the end it was just these two clubs, I would be perfectly happy. But in football you never know for sure.”

Matip, who started the season as a substitute but has started the last three Premier League games due to Ibrahima Konate's hamstring injury, also indicated that he is not worried about a reduced role this season, adding that competition for places is 'normal'.

“At a club like Liverpool, competition is part of the game," he is quoted as saying. "Of course I’m happy that I managed to hold my own for such a long time. Of course, you have to show something every now and then – otherwise you won’t have the opportunity to stay that long. We have so much quality and so many games that you inevitably end up on the bench – that’s normal. And I’m also happy to have such good colleagues in central defence."

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Matip also revealed that Liverpool's aim for the Europa League – which kicks off this Thursday – is to reach the final in Dublin.

He added: "We play in every competition to get to the final. There is still a long way to go, Linz is the first step. With the quality we have in the squad, I am confident that we can be successful there."