Liverpool Not Ready to Lose Defender: Talks Over a New Deal Begins

Liverpool have taken a u-turn on another defender, this time being Joe Gomez, who has been linked with an exit ever since falling down the pecking order at Anfield.

Joe Gomez was one of several players at Anfield who was deemed surplus to requirement. It was highly-anticipated that the Englishman would leave during the summer with Aston Villa or West Ham United prime destinations for him to land at.

Move on a few weeks and a few transfers in and out of the club, and it appears they could have changed their stance over more than one of their defenders. The first was Nat Phillips who Liverpool are not prepared to lose on a loan deal but rather a permanent package.

The scouts and coaching staff were said to be impressed with his time at Bournemouth, where he helped them gain promotion to the top flight again. They will no longer listen to loan offers and monitor his progress further. However, if the price is right to sell him, they will respect his choice, if it is to leave.

Now the same has happened for Joe Gomez, who has fallen behind Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip and Ibrahima Konate, in the centre-back department; his preferred position on the pitch.

In the right-back area, he played as a second fiddle or even third fiddle, to Trent Alexandre-Arnold and James Milner; with the arrival of Calvin Ramsay from Aberdeen, his chances in his second-best position has dried up.

But this hasn’t seen the Reds want to cash in on him. They now see tying him down to a new deal as a “summer priority”. It is not only to secure his services long-term but to also fend off clubs such as Villa and the Hammers.

"With their three summer signings wrapped up and through the door, Liverpool’s focus in the transfer window has shifted, with Joe Gomez‘s contract “top priority."

Liverpool Departures in No Way Favour Joe Gomez

Liverpool has seen the exit of attackers Sadio Mane and Takumi Minamino to Bayern Munich and AS Roma, respectively. As per multiple reports, their summer business for new incomings is said to be complete.

The only business that is left is player sales and the biggest priority: having first-team players sign new deals with the club. None of the potential outgoings or sales favours more game time for Gomez.

"Talks are said to be already underway with Gomez’s representatives, as Liverpool look to “stave off interest from a number of other Premier League clubs,” with Aston Villa and Newcastle among the sides tentatively linked.He is described as “still very much part of [Jurgen] Klopp’s plans,” as the manager and his staff see him as “England’s best centre-half.” (Via: thisisanfield.com)"

So not too sure if this is good news for the defender but there are a couple of certainties that can be taken into account if he stays at Anfield. Firstly, he has the ability to play every member in his position, out of it.

Secondly, Jurgen Klopp is not a manager who doesn’t reward hard work and determination. If Joe puts in the hours he will be rewarded with as many minutes on the pitch as he wants.

But he must stay injury-free also, which has been the issue that has seen Liverpool shop in the market, acquire the services of Konate, and why he lost his first-choice status. The Reds have been patient with him throughout his injury setbacks, long and short. So it could be ideal for him to stay put.