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Anfield Index
·19. August 2024
Joe Gomez: Should Liverpool Sell or Keep the Versatile Defender?
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·19. August 2024
I have read so many opinions during this frustrating transfer window, as the summer has created many questions about Liverpool-related sales. In a perfect world (where PSR and FFP do not exist), it would, of course, be tremendous to have a fully loaded squad that is as deep as humanly possible. Unfortunately, this type of endeavour often requires breaking every rule in the book, sports washing, and a means of operating outside the financial system designed to promote fair play.
Though Manchester City has largely dominated since their oil-based inception, all their success has been built upon a throne of lies and deceit, something that has thus far incurred 115 charges from the Premier League. The mass investigation that produced such an eye-watering number of allegations will see the Etihad juggernaut punished and everything they have won undermined. This is the reason why clubs cannot keep everything they have despite the demands of a fanbase.
As the summer months end, more and more, I am convinced that the process of allocating fringe assets is being handled accordingly. Both Bobby Clark and Fábio Carvalho were seemingly reluctant to undertake loans whilst being in a position where they would have struggled to impact the first-team group. The likes of Ben Doak, Tyler Morton, and Sepp van den Berg all appear to be assets that are readily available for incoming bids as fringe players who are also unlikely to make the grade at their current elite-level setting.
I have no issue with the sale of any of those mentioned, as the need to finance incoming transfers will need supplementing. The clamour to have new contracts delivered to Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, and Trent Alexander Arnold are also expensive realities that cannot be ignored. Then there is the curious case of the long-term servant, Joe Gomez, who, after a wonderful season as Liverpool’s Swiss Army Knife, seems intent on making a move that puts him as a starting piece rather than the likely backup he is almost certainly going to attain under his new Head Coach, Arne Slot.
Regarding the player and his importance to the club, I would much rather see Kostas Tsimikas move on so that England International Gomez could compete more directly for the left-back spot. This could be achieved whilst maintaining a rotation position for both central and right-sided defensive roles.
Ultimately, my wants and desires probably do not mirror those of the 27-year-old who is now entering the peak years of a short footballing career. As a celebrated member of the Jürgen Klopp era, the former Charlton academy graduate was the only member of the first team group to be part of the Germans Anfield squad, from start to finish. With the departure of the illustrious former manager, it may well come the time to bid farewell to the superb defensive squad member also, as a man that has made 224 appearances for the Reds attempts to be the main man instead of the continual second option.
Though some of the fanbase believes that the club will be willing to accept a knockdown fee, I sense that sentiment will be sidelined to ensure that a higher fee is extracted as possible. A valuation of around £45m seems more than reasonable, essentially given that the 15-cap England international has just completed perhaps the strongest season of his career. As a player who can play a variety of roles (to a high level), he would walk into any team in the Premier League, aside from Manchester City and Arsenal.
The business side of the Merseyside giants dictates the need to keep very good players on board or demand fees that match the output of the asset. Loyalty should allow the London-born professional footballer to leave without fuss. However, interested teams such as Newcastle, Tottenham, Aston Villa, West Ham, Crystal Palace, Chelsea, Fulham, and Bayern Munich should all be given access to the multi-trophy winning Liverpool player, only if a fee approaching £50m is guaranteed.
I hope that assurances can be given and that an extended stay can be agreed, though if the player is set on leaving and attaining a more prominent role elsewhere, I want both the player and selling club to get what they desire.