Joe Gomez has signed a new five-year contract, to keep him at Liverpool until 2027.
The England international defender agreed a new improved deal, with the club keen to sign him on for the long term, after interest from several clubs. Speculation was rife the centre-half would ask to leave Anfield this summer, after slipping down the pecking order in Jurgen Klopp’s defence, following the arrival of Ibrahima Konate last season.
But Klopp was keen for Gomez to stay, and believes he will get plenty of opportunities in a Liverpool defence which saw action on all fronts last season, as they chased a quadruple. The new contract reflects Klopp’s view of Gomez as a key part of his squad for the next five years, with the manager’s faith crucial to the decision to extend his contract.
Klopp admires the player’s exemplary professional attitude, which he displayed despite limited game time in the quadruple chase last season. And the Reds were keen to ensure the 25-year-old signed on for the best years of his career, as they look to ensure all their best young players are retained on long-term contracts.
Newcastle, Aston Villa and Roma had all been linked to the 25-year-old, with former Red Steven Gerrard, who coached at Liverpool when Gomez was there, a big admirer who showed strong interest. But with the defender out of contract at the end of 2024, new Anfield Sporting Director Julian Ward wanted to avoid a situation where the experienced international began to wind down his contract.
And now the Liverpool board have sanctioned the deal with Gomez, in a huge boost for Klopp, who wants top class depth in all positions, as he targets the two trophies he narrowly missed out on last season, the Premier League title and the Champions League.
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Gomez has been with Liverpool for seven years, and is the second longest serving current player - alongside Roberto Firmino and James Milner - behind skipper Jordan Henderson.
But at 25 Klopp believes he still has development ahead of him, and Gomez will be challenged to fight for a place alongside Virgil van Dijk at the heart of the Reds defence this coming season.
Gomez enjoyed a regular partnership with his close friend van Dijk during Liverpool’s title winning season, but since then serious injury saw him overtaken by Joel Matip and Konate in the pecking order.
Klopp though, has told the defender an injury free run could give him the chance to fight for a first team spot, and Gomez looks ready to accept that challenge.
