Joe Gomez is now contemplating his choices forward of a possible departure from Liverpool this summer season, in a transfer that’s each disappointing and logical.
Gomez’s absence was the large shock when Liverpool launched their first teamsheet of the Arne Slot period, with the No. 2 not even making the bench at Ipswich.
It was quickly revealed that this got here after “grown-up discussions” with the membership over his future, with the Occasions‘ Paul Joyce reporting that his omission was amicable following curiosity from Newcastle, Aston Villa, Fulham and Chelsea.
Golf equipment exterior of England have additionally been touted as potential suitors, with Gomez one in all quite a few gamers who’ve been linked with the Saudi Professional League since its growth.
With the switch window set to shut at 11pm on August 30, it now guarantees to be a fair busier one for Liverpool, who had already been anticipated to preside over quite a few different gross sales and loans.
Slot has downplayed hypothesis over Luis Diaz leaving the membership, however the prospect of dropping Gomez now seems very actual and naturally disappointing.
A disappointing actuality
Liverpool have, after all, already held talks over promoting their longest-serving participant this summer season, with a proposed £45 million swap to Newcastle falling by way of together with an agreed £75 million deal for Anthony Gordon.
However the participant himself appeared to have drawn a line beneath that as he anticipated a tenth season as a part of the Reds’ first workforce.
Now the probability of Gomez leaving Merseyside has solely elevated, which might see one in all Slot’s most versatile gamers transfer on.
The season simply gone was the 27-year-old’s most prolific when it comes to appearances, that includes in 51 of 58 video games in Jurgen Klopp‘s remaining marketing campaign, with solely Virgil van Dijk, Diaz and Alexis Mac Allister clocking extra minutes on the pitch.
He did so in a wide range of completely different roles, with 25 outings at right-back, 19 at left-back, 5 at centre-back and two in defensive midfield.
Shedding a participant who shouldn’t be solely able to filling in throughout the again 4 and even within the No. 6 position, but additionally accomplish that on the stage required of a membership difficult on 4 fronts, would undoubtedly be a blow.
That’s solely magnified by Gomez’s recognition within the squad and amongst followers, an clever and understated character who arrived as an 18-year-old within the remaining throes of Brendan Rodgers’ reign and have become a person beneath Klopp’s administration.
With the uncertainty over the contract conditions of Van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and particularly Trent Alexander-Arnold, dealing with as much as the possibilities of dropping Gomez solely serves of a reminder that, in soccer, little or no is everlasting.
Even when he was not in rivalry to begin in Saturday’s 2-0 win at Portman Street, the truth is that if he does depart, he would nearly definitely want changing.
Younger cowl within the full-back areas has already left with Luke Chambers and Calvin Ramsay each becoming a member of Wigan on mortgage, whereas Owen Beck and Calum Scanlon are additionally anticipated to move by way of the exit earlier than August 30.
Sepp van den Berg often is the most established substitute of types for Gomez, however the Dutchman possesses neither the expertise nor the pliability to right away fill the void he would go away.
Experiences round Gomez mulling over a transfer insist that, if he decides to remain, Slot could be very happy to maintain the participant as a part of his squad.
But when not, it might pressure Liverpool right into a late transfer within the switch market – although the shortening of odds round Jarrad Branthwaite crossing Stanley Park within the subsequent 12 days must be taken with greater than a pinch of salt.
For causes each emotional and calculated, Liverpool promoting Gomez could be a significant disappointment.
Nevertheless, it is usually a transfer that is sensible for the participant himself, and given his 9 years of service that should be factored in.
Why Gomez would need to depart
Amongst these to reach late for Slot’s first pre-season, Gomez did so having spent the summer season using the bench for England on the Euros – as one in all solely three outfield gamers to fail to play a single minute for Gareth Southgate’s aspect.
He then returned to seek out Jarell Quansah having established himself as favorite to begin alongside Van Dijk, with the brand new head coach admitting earlier than kickoff at Ipswich that it had been a “shut name” between Quansah and Ibrahima Konate.
Having not featured in any respect for England on the Euros, Gomez then clocked simply 16 minutes on the pitch in his solely outing of pre-season, as a late substitute within the 4-1 win over Sevilla at Anfield.
Konate began the behind-closed-doors pleasant towards Las Palmas hours later, partnered by Nat Phillips, with 17-year-old Amara Nallo coming off the bench.
Whereas Gomez’s inclusion within the extra high-profile recreation could have been a gesture of his standing in Slot’s squad, the shortage of consideration for him gaining minutes on the pitch could have confirmed fears over his position.
Watching long-time buddy Ezri Konsa of Aston Villa and match success story Marc Guehi of Crystal Palace given alternatives over him on the Euros could have nearly definitely completed the identical.
And with Guehi concerned in what guarantees to be a merry-go-round of centre-back transfers within the remaining weeks of this switch window, a possibility might open up for Gomez.
A switch merry-go-round
If Newcastle fail to land a deal for Guehi, for instance, with 4 bids already rejected, that might flip them again to Gomez with the provide of a daily beginning position at centre-back.
So too for Villa, who will participate on this season’s Champions League and are conscious of curiosity from Fulham and golf equipment in Saudi Arabia for Diego Carlos.
Fulham‘s success in touchdown Carlos as a substitute for Tosin Adarabioyo might then immediate Villa to focus on Gomez, or the Cottagers might as a substitute now prioritise a transfer for the Liverpool defender himself.
Palace can’t be dominated out of this equation both, as if Guehi does finally transfer to St James’ Park, a confirmed, top-level substitute will likely be wanted quick.
There are a variety of shifting components to acknowledge, and Gomez’s want to no less than discover a transfer away from Liverpool could possibly be some of the decisive.
Had been he to depart Anfield, then, he ought to accomplish that with the blessing of all concerned, as regardless of the plain influence on Slot’s squad it’s a switch he could have to reignite his profession at 27.
