After Klopp, two other figures are leaving Liverpool

Liverpool officially announced on Wednesday the departures of Joel Matip, the 32-year-old Cameroonian international center-back, and Thiago Alcântara, the 33-year-old Spanish international midfielder, from the club.

"As announced last month, Joel Matip and Thiago Alcântara will leave the Reds at the end of their contracts this summer, after eight and four years respectively at the club," read the statement published by the Anfield club.

Joel Matip joined Liverpool in 2016 from Schalke 04 and quickly became a key player in the defense. His time at Liverpool was marked by significant successes, including winning the Premier League title in the 2019-2020 season and the UEFA Champions League in 2018-2019. Matip's partnership with Virgil van Dijk was particularly notable, forming one of the most formidable defensive duos in Europe.

Thiago Alcântara, who arrived from Bayern Munich in 2020, brought a touch of class and experience to Liverpool's midfield. Despite struggling with injuries during his time at the club, Thiago's technical ability and vision on the field made him a valuable asset. He played a crucial role in Liverpool's FA Cup and Carabao Cup victories in the 2021-2022 season.

During their time at Liverpool, the two footballers were coached by Jürgen Klopp, the German manager who also left the Reds at the end of this season, being succeeded by the Dutchman Arne Slot. Klopp's tenure at Liverpool was highly successful, transforming the club into a dominant force in English and European football. Under his guidance, Liverpool won the Premier League, the UEFA Champions League, the FA Cup, and the Carabao Cup, among other trophies.

Arne Slot, who takes over from Klopp, has a strong reputation from his time at Feyenoord, where he led the team to domestic success. Liverpool fans will be hopeful that Slot can build on the foundations laid by Klopp and continue the club's tradition of competing for major honors. The departures of Matip and Thiago mark the end of an era, but also the beginning of a new chapter for Liverpool as they look to rebuild and challenge for titles in the coming seasons.