Joe Gomez could be one of the next experienced Liverpool players to have to make a big decision this summer.
After more than a decade at Anfield, the defender’s future is starting to look a bit uncertain, especially as he only has one year left on his current contract.
Gomez has been at Liverpool since 2015, making him the club’s longest-serving player. That alone says a lot.
He has been through almost everything at the Reds, from the height of Premier League and Champions League wins, injury setbacks, team rebuilds and changing times under different managers.
However, football moves quickly and both clubs and players may have to think seriously about what happens next this summer.
Joe Gomez was a great servant to Liverpool
The situation is not so simple. There is still much to see in Gomez. He is experienced, calm and can play across the backline, which makes him very useful.
Whether Liverpool needed him as a centre-back, right-back or even left-back, he was usually willing to step in and get the job done without any fuss.
But the problem is game time. Injuries have disrupted his form this season as well, with minor fitness issues limiting his rhythm. He has only started 15 of 31 games and has appeared in only 48 games total over the past two seasons.
Asked about his future, he said, according to a Sky Sports report:
“No. I think anything could happen. I don’t know if that’s an honest answer.
“I don’t know because I only have one year left, but I guess that’s how it goes.
“But I’m very grateful to have had this time at this club. I’ll always be grateful to have spent 11 years in a place like this. All I can do is be grateful. We’ll see.”
That’s not ideal for a player approaching 29 years old. This is the stage in his career where he probably wants to play regularly instead of sitting around waiting for holes to fill in the team.
Liverpool’s defensive options also appear to have strengthened. Jeremy Jacquet will reportedly join from Rennes in a £60m deal, while Giovanni Leoni and Conor Bradley are expected to return from serious knee injuries.
What’s next for the English defender?
There has been some outside interest before. Newcastle were interested in signing him last season, but AC Milan have been mentioned this season.
Liverpool should not let Gomez go without respect. Because he was a faithful servant and accomplished on several important occasions. But at the same time, keeping him around just because he’s been there for years wouldn’t really help him or the club.
From Gomez’s point of view, a new challenge may be just what he needs. he’s not finished yet. He is not very old. He still has the quality to be a regular starter elsewhere.
However, at Liverpool he may now be seen as a reliable team option rather than a first-choice defender.
Liverpool are building for the future and Gomez may need a club where he can be more than just a useful back-up.
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