Liverpool can finally focus on how to get the best out of their squad following the closure of the summer transfer window.
There were plenty of question marks over what the make-up of the group would look like once the transfer deadline had passed.
One of the biggest uncertainties had been whether Joe Gomez would still be part of the Liverpool squad come the start of September.
Gomez was heavily linked with a move away from Liverpool and it looked at one stage that the 27-year-old would move on after nine years at Anfield.
In the end, though, Gomez stayed put. But, yet to play a single minute under Arne Slot, the worries over the defender’s longer-term future remain in place.
What’s going on with Joe Gomez?
After claims that Gomez had fallen out of favour with Slot, there seemed a readiness from Liverpool supporters that they’d be waving goodbye to their No.2.
Having been at the club for so long, Gomez has become part of the furniture at Anfield. His potential departure was not something fans were looking forward to.
In that respect, it is good news that Gomez is still around. In terms of a fourth-choice centre-back, the England international is probably the best in the Premier League, too.
However, after it became clear that he is staying for now, there have been suggestions that Gomez could look to leave in January if his lack of game time under Slot continues.
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This is something journalist Graeme Bailey now corroborates. But, speaking exclusively to Rousing The Kop, Bailey also says that Gomez is now happy enough at Liverpool having been assured of game time by the new head coach.
“He wasn’t particularly pushing to leave,” says the reporter. “I’m told he was concerned after being left out of that first squad but I know he’s then had talks with Arne Slot and he’s been assured by what he’s heard.
“There was interest out there and I think if he really wanted to leave he would have agitated for it. I think he was happy with what he was told,” adds Bailey.
“Nevertheless, he’s probably one to watch for January if what was told to him this summer doesn’t pan out. But I think Slot likes him and he’s part of his plans.”
What are Joe Gomez’s chances of game time?
Gomez’s situation was one that few people really saw coming at the start of the window. But after so many years of playing back-up at Liverpool, perhaps it should have been expected.
Now 27, Gomez is entering his peak years as a centre-back. Still a little down the pecking order with the Reds, he could easily find regular football elsewhere.
Despite that, there is a lot of football to be played at Liverpool this season. The two extra Champions League games mean that Slot will have to rotate whether he likes it or not.
Wataru Endo has predicted that he’ll get minutes even after reportedly being put up for sale in the summer and the situation is likely to be similar for Gomez.
If he does well when called upon, there is even a chance that Joe can still force his way into Slot’s starting XI. Now around until at least January, that’s without a doubt what he’ll be aiming to do. Don’t write him off just yet.
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