Liverpool 'to open contract talks with Joel Matip, Thiago Alcantara'

Liverpool are reportedly interested in retaining the services of Joel Matip and Thiago Alcantara.

Throughout the summer transfer window, there was talk of the Merseyside giants undergoing somewhat of a rebuild in various positions of the pitch.

While there were only four senior additions, Liverpool saw six first-team players depart on permanent transfers, with a couple of prospects having now been integrated into the first-team squad.

At the time, there was a perception that more exits could materialise, particularly including players who have just a year remaining on their contract.

Each of Matip and Thiago fell into that bracket, the latter being heavily linked with a wide array of foreign clubs before eventually staying at Anfield.

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There is still the possibility of Liverpool being prepared to cash in on either of two of their most experienced squad members at the turn of the year.

However, according to CaughtOffside, club officials are interested in holding discussions with their respective representatives.

The report adds that no talks have been held at the present time, yet they are expected to occur before business opens in January.

Of the pair, Matip may currently be viewed as the more valuable player in the senior ranks, a consequence of Liverpool's issues in the centre of defence.

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Matip was not necessarily expected to be a regular this season, but the 32-year-old has already accumulated as many as 265 minutes in the Premier League and Europa League.

Furthermore, the Cameroon international has hinted in an interview this week that he is keen to extend his stay at Liverpool.

As for Thiago, the 32-year-old is yet to feature this campaign courtesy of a hip injury, and he has fallen down the pecking order with Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch and Wataru Endo having all been signed this summer.

That said, it is alleged that Jurgen Klopp remains keen to retain the Spain international's services, feeling that he requires an extra option for his engine room.