Liverpool have confirmed that both Thiago Alcantara and Joel Matip will leave Anfield when their contracts expire this summer.
The Reds are set for a major overhaul as they prepare to replace long-serving manager Jurgen Klopp with Dutchman Arne Slot, who will now have to deal with the absence of both Thiago and Matip, targets at Steven Gerrard's Al Ettifaq.
“Before he came to Liverpool, I believe that if you really love football, it will make sense if you watch Thiago Alcantara play,” said Klopp when he confirmed the departure of the Spanish player.
“Technically, he is very good. A talent that can play in any team in the world and it is a privilege to have him.”
Klopp added: “I know the injury was frustrating for him and for us but the level at which he was able to play when he was there was amazing. This is what I will remember.
“Now he will go on a new path with his family and we can only wish them the best. Wherever he plays I will be happy to watch. He is a showman who will only paint the best pictures.”
Thiago leaves Liverpool having made 98 appearances during an injury-hit four years under Klopp.
Matip joined Liverpool on a free transfer from Schalke in the summer of 2016 and went on to make 201 appearances for the Reds, establishing himself as one of the most reliable members of Klopp's squad before injury brought his campaign to an abrupt end.
Speaking about Matip, Klopp said: “In all the years I've been involved in football, I'm not sure I've met many players who are more popular than Joel Matip. I'm not sure I can say anything bad about him.
“A great player, an amazing footballer and an amazing person – we've been blessed to have him for as long as we've had him and now all we can do is wish him well as he embarks on a new journey.
“Joel's qualities as a player are there for all to see and as a club we've benefited from them since he first joined. I don't think he's had too many headlines over the years but he's been a very popular person in our club.
“I said before that if there was someone who wouldn't mind being relegated it would be Joel, but the truth is that we wouldn't have placed him very well. he puts himself before others and this is one of the reasons why his time here was successful.”
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