Milner and Matip to be offered new Liverpool deals after starring in run to Champions League final

Liverpool will offer James Milner and Joel Matip the opportunity to extend their Anfield careers after playing major roles in the route to the Champions League final.

Milner arrived on a Bosman in the summer of 2015 after running his contract down at Manchester City while Matip became one of Jurgen Klopp’s first signings in 2016 following his decision to let his terms elapse at Schalke.

Both men have 12 months left on their current deals but, such is their importance, Liverpool intend to open discussions with them once the season ends following Saturday’s showdown with Tottenham in Madrid.

Liverpool are to offer James Milner (left) and Joel Matip (right) new deals to remain at Anfield

Leeds, who launched Milner’s path to the top, had been monitoring his situation and would have considered bringing him back to Elland Road had they reached the Premier League but they now recognise there is little hope at this moment of an emotional reunion.

Milner has been one of Liverpool’s most consistent performers over the last two years, while Matip has enjoyed his most productive run of form alongside Virgil van Dijk since being restored to the team in February after recovering from a broken collarbone.

Meanwhile, Liverpool – who will head out to Madrid on Friday with a fully-fit squad – have scraped plans to play a pre-season game at Tottenham’s new stadium as it has been felt it would be inappropriate to use the venue so soon after such a huge occasion.

There had been negotiations in April about Liverpool potentially playing Napoli in London on July 28, as Anfield is having its pitch re-laid after staging three pop concerts in June, but they have been called off. It is now likely that Liverpool will play a fixture at Murrayfield in Edinburgh on that date.

Milner (far right) has been consistent all season while Matip (centre) has been impressive