S Poddar
Joe Gomez of Liverpool may face a mixed future as he becomes frustrated with the amount of playing time handed to him. The reason is frustration at not getting enough playing time in his favored position – central defense – despite featuring visibly in a versatile role under Jurgen Klopp, standing in at left-back and midfield.
It was performances last season that warranted a spot in Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2024 squad, but continued to be denied his wish of playing regularly at centre-back. Liverpool had agreed a £45m transfer to Newcastle with Anthony Gordon going the other way for £75m. Those negotiations collapsed when Newcastle, following the sales of Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh, decided they could adhere to financial regulations without having to offload Gordon.
Gomez, who is due back at Liverpool next week after an extended break because of international duty, has to decide whether to fight for a place under Slot or try his luck elsewhere. He can hardly be blamed for feeling exasperated – in Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, and Jarell Quansah, he sits behind three central defenders. The fact that the club is prepared to sell him to make way for another transfer adds to the sense of uncertainty around his future.
