Gomez still backed to leave Liverpool

Liverpool centre-back Joe Gomez could still look to leave the club in 12 months’ time despite signing a new deal, according to former England man Paul Robinson.

The Lowdown: Gomez signs new deal

Despite being linked with a move away from Anfield earlier in the summer, the 25-year-old recently committed his long-term future to the Reds.

Gomez’s new contract saw him extend his stay until the end of the 2026/27 season, at which point he would have been a Liverpool player for an impressive 12 years.

The Englishman struggled for playing time last season, however – he only started four games in the Premier League – and he has been tipped to continue eyeing up a potential exit.

The Latest: Robinson makes big claim

Speaking to Football Insider, Sky Sports pundit Robinson claimed he could still see Gomez leaving Liverpool if he doesn’t get more chances this season, regardless of his shiny new deal:

“From his point of view, I’m surprised to see him sign. I’m surprised he didn’t want to leave and become that main centre-half just like Van Dijk is at Liverpool.

“But on the other hand, he’s obviously been assured of game time and was happy with the role that was proposed. Within these five years there are still options to go out on loan and options to leave.

“It just gives the club that security with their asset and gives Liverpool four top-class centre-backs to lean on for this season. The situation could well change again next summer if he’s not playing as much as he wanted.

“The onus is now on him to show what he’s got now if he wants to get back into the England squad and become the partner for Van Dijk.”

The Verdict: Playing time key

Gomez is an outstanding centre-back who has been hailed as ‘world-class’ by Jurgen Klopp, so there is no doubt that keeping hold of him is a huge positive.

That being said, it is going to be a challenge for the defender to earn regular minutes at the heart of Liverpool’s defence, considering Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip and Ibrahima Konate are all arguably ahead of him in the pecking order.

Should that continue to be the case, Gomez’s head could be turned by a move in the next year or two, although the fact that Van Dijk and Matip are now in their 30s does mean that he and Konate could be the Reds’ long-term centre-back pairing.