Aston Villa and Newcastle United are likely to be at the front of any queue for Joe Gomez if the centre-half leaves Liverpool during the next transfer window, according to The Athletic.
Gomez is facing a potential crossroads over his Anfield future at the end of a term in which he has rarely featured. Jurgen Klopp has so far only fielded the 24-year-old in 13 fixtures in all competitions. The defender has also only played 530-minutes, while starting five times.
Additionally, Gomez made his sole Premier League start of the season so far on Saturday at right-back against Norwich City. Klopp opted to rest Trent Alexander-Arnold at home to the Canaries, per the Liverpool Echo, while favouring Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip centrally.
Matip and Van Dijk have continually kept Gomez out of the Reds’ backline, while Ibrahima Konate has also impressed. The Frenchman was a standout performer at Inter Milan in the Champions League. So, Klopp has rarely felt required to give Gomez to a key role this term.
Liverpool are likely to begin assessing the England international’s future this summer as he will enter the final two-years of his contract. Gomez signed a £75,000-a-week, six-year deal in 2018, but the Anfield hierarchy will be keen to keep his market value as high as possible.
Gomez has not hinted he wishes to leave Liverpool yet, nor does the club currently intend to sell. Klopp still loves the player, despite his infrequent minutes, and the defender loves playing for the Reds. But he cannot accept another campaign spent mostly on the sidelines.
Aston Villa and Newcastle early favourites to sign Liverpool defender Joe Gomez
Aston Villa and Newcastle are keeping close tabs on Gomez’s situation at Liverpool in view of the next transfer window. The Villans and Magpies are positioning themselves to be the early favourites for any deal if the Reds look to sell, and both also remain top-flight sides.
Steven Gerrard had considered a move to sign the £3.5m former Charlton Athletic talent in January, too. The Express & Star reported the Aston Villa boss cast eyes on Anfield ahead of Axel Tuanzebe leaving for Napoli mid-way through his loan from Manchester United.
Rival suitors, likely higher in the Premier League standings, are also likely to enter any race this off-season, as well. But the Anfield hierarchy must first consider if Gomez – who Klopp considers ‘sensational’ – has a future on Merseyside with Van Dijk and Matip 31 this year.
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