‘Exceptional’ Liverpool player set to join training next week after coming close to leaving

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Liverpool are still waiting for a clutch of key players to begin working under Arne Slot.

The Reds have now been in pre-season training for almost a month under the direction of the new head coach.

But while Slot has been impressed with the Liverpool youngsters at his disposal – as well as the available members of the Liverpool squad – things will ramp up once they return to England next week.

With another friendly match slated for Thursday morning in Philadelphia, Liverpool have just one further game to play in the US before coming back to Merseyside.

There, it has been confirmed that at least one player will be waiting for them, despite recent speculation over his future at Anfield.

Joe Gomez set for return to training

After Ibrahima Konate and Ryan Gravenberch joined the group on Tuesday, Liverpool are now missing seven first-team players.

Konate and Gravenberch will play no part against Arsenal as they continue to build their fitness and grow familiarity with Slot and his coaching staff.

As a result, it will still be a little while before we start to see a proper Liverpool team being put out by the head coach.

In the meantime, speculation has been raging that some of those away may not return at all.

Reports surfacing on Wednesday claimed that Joe Gomez was close to joining Newcastle for £45m at the end of June, with an extra £30m securing Anthony Gordon for Liverpool in return.

READ MORE: Four Liverpool players who could leave at the last minute this summer

Repeating this claim, the Liverpool ECHO report that Gomez was indeed close to leaving Anfield as part of a deal to see Gordon fulfil a boyhood dream and join the Reds.

It’s claimed that Liverpool had ‘agreed in principle’ to sell Gomez for £45m, with a £75m price decided upon for Gordon.

With Newcastle pulling out after solving their PSR problems, though, it’s claimed that there is now ‘growing interest’ in Gomez anyway.

The 27-year-old is said to be ‘aware of the situation’ as he holidays following Euro 2024 with England. After finishing his time off, Gomez will reportedly be back at the AXA Training Centre as normal next week.

Should Liverpool sell Joe Gomez?

It’s clear that Gomez does have a decision to make over his Liverpool future this summer. If he does go, then the Reds absolutely have to bring in a replacement.

In our opinion, this is not really a question of whether Liverpool should sell Gomez, more does the centre-back want to leave?

If he does, and the price is right for Liverpool, then they should probably let him go. The No.2 is not guaranteed a starting spot and after nine years with the Reds, his wishes should be respected.

But if Gomez is keen to stay and complete a 10th season at Anfield, then Liverpool would be foolish to do anything other than keep him. Trent Alexander-Arnold said Gomez was ‘exceptional‘ last season and that is accurate.

The story with Newcastle may be dead – even if Liverpool’s move for Gordon is still alive – but it seems that there could be plenty of alternatives for Joe. Get him in next week and let’s see where his head is at.