Joel Matip shares what he's been doing since retiring after arriving at Anfield to watch Liverpool v Spurs
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Former Liverpool defender Joel Matip was a guest of Virgil van Dijk at Anfield for the Reds’ match against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.Van Dijk and Matip shared a special bond during their five-and-a-half years playing together, with the Cameroonian earning his status as a fan favourite.A quiet man keen to shun the spotlight, Matip has barely been seen at all since his retirement in 2024. As a result, it is not a surprise to hear that the 34-year-old has been keeping a low profile since leaving Liverpool and hanging up his boots.
Who was Liverpool’s best player on another poor day at Anfield? Not many to choose from… Photo by Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images Matip says retirement has been ‘nothing special’Perhaps the most unassuming footballer of modern times, Matip was never going to be all over the headlines after calling an end to his playing days.Liverpool fans have certainly missed him, though, and many will have been delighted to have seen him appearing at Anfield for Sunday’s game.Asked by the Liverpool media team to reveal what he’s been doing since retiring, Matip gave a typically low-key answer.Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty ImagesREAD MORE: Liverpool player ratings vs Tottenham as Dominik Szoboszlai beaten to Man of the Match“There’s nothing special to update,” he smiled.
“Just enjoying time with the family, that’s all.”Asked for his thoughts on being back in Liverpool for what is most likely the first time in almost two years, Matip admitted that it was brilliant to return, and to see his old friend Van Dijk play again.“It’s wonderful to be back here, to be back in this stadium to hopefully see a wonderful game. I’m really looking forward to it,” Matip said.“He’s [Van Dijk] a wonderful guy, a wonderful player and it’s a pleasure to be here to see him playing again.”Join Our NewsletterReceive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox