Released Liverpool favourite could return to Anfield next season in surprise twist

Joel Matip is reportedly eyeing a Premier League return following his departure from Liverpool, with Bournemouth a surprise contender for the defender's signature.

A week ago today, the 32-year-old said a teary goodbye at Anfield after a trophy-laden eight-year spell as one of the greatest free signings in recent memory - if not all time. Unfortunately he was unable to feature against Wolves due to the ACL injury that had ruled him out for the majority of the 2023/24 campaign, though the Liverpool supporters' love for the player was shown in full force nonetheless.

Hoping the best for Matip, the fans eagerly await to see if he can secure a deal with another club to play again once fully recovered. What they may not have expected is, instead of a move back to Germany or elsewhere, he could remain so close to home.

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The Express claim that it is the Cameroonian's desire to remain in the English top-flight, and Bournemouth hope to capitalise on this opening in the market. The Cherries themselves are on course to lose Lloyd Kelly to Newcastle United as his contract also expires, so will seek to make the direct replacement by adding a Premier League and Champions League winner to their ranks.

This could put Matip in line for a hero's return to Merseyside in future Anfield meetings between Arne Slot's and Andoni Iraola's teams, and could make sense given it was the centre back's wish to retire with the Reds prior to the club's decision.

"With these absolute top conditions, you don't just walk away [from Liverpool]," he said last September. "In addition, I also feel incredibly comfortable here in my private life. I think it's desirable not to change clubs all the time. But everyone has to decide for themselves. In any case, I find consistency helpful.

"I'm at an age where I don't think so much about the future anymore. I try to make the most of every day and don't look too far ahead. If it was only these two clubs in the end, I would be perfectly happy. But in football, you never know exactly."