Liverpool had agreed deal to sign NEXT Joel Matip

Liverpool had their new Joel Matip and he would've been incredible.

We all miss the Cameroonian international at Anfield. Matip was absolutely adored during his time at the club. He was not only a brilliant defender but he was a great character on and off the pitch.

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His amusing antics in the dressing room and the viral videos of his reactions on the pitch made him a popular figure not only among his teammates but also the club's supporters.

The only thing we wanted to see less were the injuries which plagued his career throughout his time at Liverpool and probably ultimately cut his time in the game short, having now retired from football.

When fit, Matip was one of the best defenders in the world at certain points of his time at the club. Unfortunately that was rarely the case, especially towards the end of his time at Anfield.

Since leaving, it's taken Liverpool a while to replace him but now they finally have their man.

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Liverpool had agreed a deal to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace, who doesn't seem like an obvious replacement for Matip but he is.

He doesn't have Matip's towering height, but he does have his affable character. Guehi is a loveable character in a little bit of a different way to Matip.

He's not known to be as much of a joker as Matip, but he is a really down to earth and humble character. He's always been loved by his teammates and his coaches wherever he went.

It speaks volumes that he became one of the youngest captains in the Premier League at Palace when he was just 21-years-old.

He also has another trait that made Matip such a popular figure at the club, and this one is to do with his ability on the ball.

Matip thrived at bringing the ball out from the back, going past opposition players and roaming forward in wild ventures from the back.

Guehi has this same tendency. Out of centre-backs last season in the Premier League he averaged the third most dribbles (0.81 per 90).

He's also very effective at it, completing 80% of his take-ons which was the best among any player in the Premier League who at least attempted 25+ take-ons and played 2000+ minutes last season.

Bringing that quality to Liverpool would've allowed the Reds to finally replace Matip's unique quality and that's why Guehi would've been a brilliant signing. Maybe we return for him in January now?

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