Liverpool’s talented defender made his long-awaited return in the FA Cup but he needs regular minutes – something he would get at Celtic.
“He’s only 18 years of age but he looked an outstanding athlete and a really good footballer.”
Straight from the off, Joe Gomez had Brendan Rodgers won over, as reported by the Daily Mirror.
After signing from Charlton Athletic in the summer of 2015, the Northern Irishman wasted no time in thrusting his teenage defender directly into the limelight and he didn’t disappoint.
In fact, Rodgers saw few issues with handing him five Premier League appearances in his first few weeks at Anfield until a cruciate ligament injury wrecked his early progress.
However, after making his long awaited comeback with 90 minutes in the FA Cup draw with Plymouth Argyle on Sunday, his first start in 15 months, could Rodgers once again hand him the opportunity to stake his claim?
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp insisted that Gomez would be going nowhere in January, as reported by the Liverpool Echo, but the prospect of the19-year-old building up his fitness with regular action in front of one of Europe’s most vociferous crowds could yet change his mind.
The Daily Mail claimed recently that Rodgers is desperate to be reunited with the England under-21 international, whose versatility could come in extremely handy in the second half of the season.
Doubts persist about the future of Celtic centre-half Dedryck Boyata while Mikael Lustig and Emilio Izaguirre have had their difficulties in either full-back position at times this campaign. Therefore, Gomez’s ability to operate across the back four would provide Rodgers with extra options.
Furthermore, the player could benefit long term. Six months at Celtic Park would surely instil the winning mentality required to succeed at Anfield while the prospect of weekly starts would ensure he returned to Merseyside in the summer ready and raring to go.
Klopp could be convinced.
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