Liverpool defender Joe Gomez is wanted by Aston Villa and Newcastle United ahead of the summer transfer window – and Jurgen Klopp has paid tribute to him.
To say this has been a frustrating season for Gomez would be a rather hefty understatement.
Gomez has only started one Premier League game this season and made just four substitute appearances.
Just 105 minutes of league action isn’t good enough for Gomez, who looks set to miss out on England’s World Cup squad later this year.
Previously Virgil van Dijk’s main partner at the back, Gomez is now fourth-choice centre back at Liverpool behind Van Dijk, Joel Matip and Ibrahima Konate.
Gomez needs playing time to get back on track in his career and he isn’t short of admirers ahead of the summer window.
The Athletic reported earlier this week that Aston Villa and Newcastle both want to sign Gomez this summer.
Steven Gerrard would be seeking a favour from Liverpool in a deal for Gomez whilst Newcastle seemingly see him as an ideal partner for Dan Burn.
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Liverpool would be in a position to command a hefty fee for Gomez, with both Villa and Newcastle seemingly willing to spend.
Liverpool boss Klopp has now been speaking about Gomez, telling This Is Anfield that he would be ‘really difficult’ to deal with if he was Gomez.
Klopp thinks Gomez has the quality to be playing regularly and would seemingly be within his rights to kick up more of a fuss.
That goes to show Gomez’s character, and whilst Klopp thinks he has had setbacks in recent times that explain his lessened squad role, a summer sale could still be on the horizon.
“It’s a very good example, but a very special story as well,” said Klopp. “Because with the quality of Joe, it’s really difficult. If I were Joe Gomez, I would be really difficult to deal with in the situation, because the quality he has, because of the player he is. Everybody likes, if not loves, Joey.”
“Then with the really difficult injury and a few things afterwards, then getting Covid in the completely wrong moment when we have an FA Cup game, it made it difficult for him to get rhythm,” he added.
