Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson has been reacting to Aston Villa’s reported interest in Liverpool defender Joe Gomez.

Steven Gerrard is preparing his Villa side for a return to his former employers at Anfield this weekend, and it seems as if he could look for help from the Reds when the January transfer window opens.

The Mirror have linked Villa with a winter loan move for Gomez, with the 24-year-old falling down the pecking order under Jurgen Klopp.

Gomez, who is known for his searing pace, has started just three games in all competitions this season, and Gerrard is hoping to convince Klopp and the £85,000-a-week defender of a move to the Midlands.

The Latest: Robinson reacts

Robinson, who regularly features as a pundit on Sky Sports, was talking to Football Insider about Gomez and the links to Villa. He labelled it as an ‘optimistic’ move but described it as ‘massive’ if they could get it over the line, saying:

“That is an optimistic one from Aston Villa.

“Given the amount of fixtures Liverpool have coming up, I think it would be a surprise if they let Gomez go.

“It would be a massive coup for Villa if they could get him.

“The only way I can see that deal going through is if the player pushes for a move. Gomez might drive a move himself given that the World Cup is coming up next year.

“Klopp is not going to want to lose one of his centre-halves after what happened last year. They were in crisis. A club with the resources of Liverpool does not have to shift on players to lessen the wage bill.

“I can only see Gomez joining Villa if he pushes for a move to get in that England squad.”

The Verdict: Needed?

Gerrard is thought to be after a centre-back and a defensive midfielder in the New Year, so the links to Gomez would appear to make sense.

However, Villa already have four senior central defenders on the books after bringing in Axel Tuanzebe on loan over the summer, so they seem fairly well-stocked in that department as things stand.

Gerrard also wants to offload two wingers in January, so an attacking addition could be more of a priority, while a defensive midfielder could also be of more importance with Marvelous Nakamba set to play in the Africa Cup of Nations in the New Year.

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