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 massive 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 outdoors of England have additionally been touted as potential suitors, with Gomez one in all numerous 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 an excellent busier one for Liverpool, who had already been anticipated to preside over numerous different gross sales and loans.
Slot has downplayed hypothesis over Luis Diaz leaving the membership, however the prospect of shedding Gomez now seems very actual and naturally disappointing.
A disappointing actuality
Liverpool have, in fact, already held talks over promoting their longest-serving participant this summer season, with a proposed £45 million change to Newcastle falling by means 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 group.
Now the chance 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 in addition achieve this on the degree required of a membership difficult on 4 fronts, would undoubtedly be a blow.
That’s solely magnified by Gomez’s reputation 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, going through as much as the possibilities of shedding Gomez solely serves of a reminder that, in soccer, little or no is everlasting.
Even when he was not in competition to start out in Saturday’s 2-0 win at Portman Highway, the truth is that if he does depart, he would virtually actually 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 go by means of the exit earlier than August 30.
Sepp van den Berg stands out as the most established alternative of types for Gomez, however the Dutchman possesses neither the expertise nor the flexibleness to right away fill the void he would go away.
Stories round Gomez mulling over a transfer insist that, if he decides to remain, Slot can be more than pleased to maintain the participant as a part of his squad.
But when not, it may power 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 can be a significant disappointment.
Nonetheless, it is usually a transfer that is smart 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 driving 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 search out Jarell Quansah having established himself as favorite to start out 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 in opposition to 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 sport could have been a gesture of his standing in Slot’s squad, the dearth 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 may have virtually actually carried out 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 chance may 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 an everyday 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 alternative for Tosin Adarabioyo may then immediate Villa to focus on Gomez, or the Cottagers may as an alternative 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 alternative might be wanted quick.
There are a selection of shifting elements to acknowledge, and Gomez’s want to no less than discover a transfer away from Liverpool might be one of the decisive.
Have been he to depart Anfield, then, he ought to achieve this with the blessing of all concerned, as regardless of the apparent impression on Slot’s squad it’s a switch he could must reignite his profession at 27.
