Joe Gomez has experienced a curious summer.
An impressive campaign in 2023/24, where the 27-year-old showed hitherto unseen versatility, earned a recall to the England squad.
Gomez made the plane for Euro 2024 but was one of only three England outfield players alongside captain Lewis Dunk and Crystal Palace rookie Adam Wharton not to see a minute of action.
He is now poised to return to action for Liverpool, where he club’s longest-serving player after joining from Charlton Athletic in 2015.
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Nevertheless, when reports emerged regarding Gomez being a potential makeweight in a deal to bring Newcastle’s former Everton winger Anthony Gordon to Anfield, that status was thrown into doubt.
The trail on that one has gone cold, in part due to Newcastle securing fees for Yankuba and Elliot Anderson to ease their PSR concerns.
And a report by The Times on Sunday said Gomez had underlined he was “committed” to Liverpool in talks with new boss Arne Slot that took place during Euro 2024.
The field to be Virgil van Dijk appears to be a fairly open one, with Gomez, Ibrahima Konate and youngster Jarell Quansah in the running. Gomez also filled in at right-back and left-back, along with occasional stints in holding midfield, when injuries bit for Liverpool last season.
The Reds wrapped up their US tour with an impressive 3-0 win over Manchester United. Slot’s side conclude their preparation with a home friendly against Sevilla before beginning their Premier League schedule at newly promoted Ipswich Town on August 17.
