Liverpool Transfer News: Latest on Javier Hernandez and Joel Matip Rumours

Liverpool have reportedly made former Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez their main summer target.

According to Rory Smith of the Times (h/t Joe Rimmer of the Liverpool Echo), the Reds are willing to wait until the end of the campaign to launch a move for the Bayer Leverkusen man, who has been impressive since leaving United in the previous window.

His former ties with the Red Devils may cause some Liverpool supporters to raise an eyebrow at the prospect of a move for the Mexico international. However, if he can produce moments like these, he could quickly become a popular figure at Anfield:

Hernandez was never quite the same at United after Sir Alex Ferguson retired. Whether being used from the start or from the bench, he was always a threat in the penalty area under the Scot, with his razor-sharp instincts, blistering pace and underrated ability in the air.

He’s a throwback No. 9 and a brilliant poacher. As we can see here, courtesy of football journalist Michael Cox, the statistics accrued by Hernandez so far this season illustrate that emphatically:

Klopp will be looking for a player who can put defenders under pressure, stretch opposing back lines and provide a consistent goalscoring threat. Hernandez can do all of those things superbly and is proven in the Premier League, but there are still question marks over whether or not he’d be the right man for the Reds.

The United link will be an issue for some. Additionally, playing at the point of the attack, Hernandez doesn’t have the technical ability or the somatotype to hold off powerful defenders, meaning he’s not totally effective operating as a lone striker. So while he will always score goals, at this juncture, he doesn’t look the right fit for Klopp’s Liverpool.

Schalke Arrange Talks with Joel Matip

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According to Schalke general manager Horst Heldt, the club are pursuing a new deal with their centre-back Joel Matip to prevent the reported Liverpool target from leaving the Veltins Arena on a free transfer.  

The Cameroonian’s contract with the Bundesliga side expires at the end of the current term, meaning he’ll be able to sign with a new club if he wishes. According to David Maddock and Alex Richards of the Daily Mirror, the Reds have already agreed a “deal in principle” for the defender, although Heldt has claimed nothing is confirmed yet.

“We have agreed to an appointment [with the player’s advisor] which will take place soon,” he said, per Joseph Pearson of the Express. “I remain in good spirits and I hope that we can convince Joel to stay at Schalke. Concerning an agreement with another club, I know nothing.”

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Here’s why, on a free transfer, the 24-year-old could represent a big coup for the Merseyside giants:

Matip seems to tick all the boxes. Not only is he a player who Klopp will know well, having managed Schalke’s bitter rivals Borussia Dortmund in the past, but stylistically, the defender will allow Liverpool to play in different ways.

Indeed, he’s strong in the air, powerful in the tackle and dynamic, too, meaning the Reds could squeeze up the pitch a little further in their relentless, pressing pursuit of the ball. As we can see here, courtesy of OptaFranz, Matip has also gotten into a habit of scoring some crucial goals for his team this season:

It’s a transfer Liverpool will be desperate to get done, as it’s not often a club has the chance to sign a defender of Matip’s calibre for no fee.

Having not signed a new deal with the Bundesliga side yet, there is clearly some curiosity on the part of Matip to see what options may be available to him elsewhere. Being part of this Liverpool project and working under a vibrant manager like Klopp will surely appeal to him, so Schalke face a big challenge if they’re to convince him to stick around.