"Hard to refuse..." - Journalist claims senior Liverpool player could be sold

Liverpool could sell Joel Matip in the summer, according to reputable journalist Neil Jones.

Jurgen Klopp’s side have endured a terrible season so far. The Reds are out of both domestic cups and are languishing in ninth in the Premier League, seven points from the Champions League spots and some 21 points adrift of Arsenal at the summit.

Liverpool are expected to begin a major rebuild in the summer, having been linked with summer deals for the likes of Jude Bellingham and Moises Caicedo.

Of course, there are likely to be departures too. Naby Keita and Alex Oxlaide-Chamberlain are almost certain to depart in the summer upon the expiry of their contracts, while the likes of Roberto Firmino could also leave.

Other first-team stars could also be victims of Klopp’s rejuvenation.

Matip to leave Liverpool

According to Goal’s Liverpool correspondent Jones, there is a possibility Matip departs Anfield in the summer.

The 31-year-old was Klopp’s first signing as Liverpool manager, moving to Merseyside back in the summer of 2016.

However, according to Jones there have been “growing whispers from within the club” that Matip may move in the summer.

Indeed, Virgil Van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate look to be Klopp’s preferred centre-back pairing, while Joe Gomez signed a long-term contract last summer and is a valuable homegrown option.

With Matip entering the final year of his contract in the summer, the club would find a suitable offer for him "hard to refuse".

Another centre-back likely to leave the Anfield club in the summer is Nat Phillips. The player had been tipped to leave Liverpool in January, but no move materialised due to an injury suffered by Konate.

However, with the player wanting regular football he will likely be departing for good at the end of the season.