Joe Gomez could force Liverpool to make transfer after £45m deal collapsed

Liverpool may have to enter the market for a new defender if Joe Gomez does opt to pursue a transfer away from Anfield.

The England defender has been at the club since 2015 but has been unable to establish himself as an obvious starter and a desire for more game time is keeping his mind open. Joel Matip has just left but the emergence of Jarell Quansah to play alongside Virgil van Dijk means competition remains strong.

Gomez’s versatility has long been a major asset for him and the Reds, but he was linked with a switch to Newcastle. The Magpies remain keen and the 27-year-old was potentially going to be part of a £45million deal that would’ve seen Anthony Gordon head to Anfield.

That move collapsed but Gomez’s remains open minded about finding a new employer – where he could command regular minutes. If that were to materialise then Liverpool would likely up their recruitment for a new defender.

A potential medical was being prepared during the Euros ahead of Gomez’s switch to Newcastle and, according to the Daily Mail, England teammates noted how the defender was happy at the chance of regular football in his favoured position of right sided centre back.

Newcastle’s desire to pursue the deal was due to financial concerns around PSR but they pulled the plug at the eleventh hour. They found alternative solutions by selling Yankuba Minteh to Brighton and Elliot Anderson to Nottingham Forest and the Gordon-Gomez deal was called off.

Liverpool, who are yet to make a signing under Arne Slot, had defensive reinforcements lower down on their list of priorities but any departure would likely force them to change their approach in the market.

Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi is a player the Reds retain an interest in, but have yet to make any move for. The ex-Chelsea defender has continued to blossom at Selhurst Park and was one of England’s leading lights at the Euros having been promoted to a starting berth.

Another player Liverpool could see depart is Dutchman Sepp van den Berg. The defender has been serially loaned out and continued to develop, most recently playing at Mainz in Germany. The Reds have placed a £20m price tag on the player, who has spoken out publicly about his future.