Everton 'would happily' take Joe Gomez from Merseyside rivals Liverpool if given the opportunity, according to Graeme Bailey. 

The lowdown

The 24-year-old has only played 620 minutes of football across 14 appearances for Liverpool this season. The centre-back, who sits behind Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip and summer signing Ibrahima Konate in the pecking order, has been limited to a solitary Premier League start in the current campaign.

With just over two years remaining on his £75,000-per-week contract, Transfermarkt value Gomez at £22.5m. He has won the Premier League, Champions League, League Cup, Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup during his time at Anfield.

The latest

Bailey told Anfield Watch that Gomez is 'hugely concerned' about his situation at Liverpool.

In particular, the defender is worried that his lack of game-time will see him miss out on the England squad for the upcoming World Cup in Qatar. Jurgen Klopp ideally wants to keep Gomez, but 'he just can't find room for him' in the team at this moment in time.

Everton would jump at the chance to land the 24-year-old, but they're far from his only suitor, although Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United and West Ham United are also named as admirers, while promotion hopefuls Fulham could join the race too.

The verdict

Everton have recently been able to pick up players who have been struggling for minutes at 'big six' clubs. January additions Donny van de Beek and Dele Alli had only made eight and 10 Premier League appearances respectively before they joined from Manchester United and Spurs mid-season.

What's more, it's no surprise that the Toffees are eyeing up defensive additions given that, in the words of Sky Sports' Jamie Carragher, their back four is 'Championship' standard.

However, it seems highly unlikely that Gomez will make the move across Stanley Park. It has been 20 years since such a transfer (Abel Xavier swapping Everton for Liverpool in 2002), with players surely wary of the backlash they will likely receive over such a transfer (Liverpool Echo).

In other news, Sky Sports dropped this Everton claim live on air.