The nerves were palpable against Wolverhampton Wanderers last weekend, Liverpool all jittery and disjointed as Matheus Cunha’s second-half strike gave rise to fears of another setback.
But Liverpool endured, absorbed the pressure and held on to claim three priceless points and keep Arsenal seven points away from the Premier League’s pole position.
Liverpool have been immense this season, proving early on that they could play with silky style in the wake of Jurgen Klopp’s departure, but now, with the stakes raised, they can also dig in deep.
This is a brilliant team, a deep team and a balanced team. But the Anfield side also needs renovation across a number of areas, and that could see more than a few first-team stars depart after the end of the – hopefully trophy-winning – season.
The players who could leave Liverpool this year
Liverpool may well win the Premier League this season, but Arne Slot will want a long-term enterprise capable of going punch-for-punch with Europe’s biggest and best outfits.
You feel that at least two of Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold will need to be garbed in red next season to prevent a drop-off. All three are of course out of contract at the end of the term, with outcomes as yet unclear.
Elsewhere, though, FSG might seek to cash in on a few. Namely, Darwin Nunez’s days on Merseyside feel numbered, with the club-record man heading toward the business months of his third year at the club having failed to produce the sustained run of clinical form that confirms his deserved status as the central talisman.
Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr were interested in January, as confirmed by Fabrizio Romano, and may return this summer, but title-chasing Liverpool were unwilling to negotiate at the midpoint of a high-stakes season.
Luis Diaz’s name feels perenially linked with an exit, but Liverpool hope to retain the Colombian’s services. Albeit, the 28-year-old probably needs to sign a new deal else prepare for pastures new.
Looking at the rear of the pitch, Caoimhin Kelleher, 25, has been transparent in his desire to leave the club. It’s fair enough. He’s “the best no. 2 in the world,” according to Klopp, and Liverpool signed out-on-loan keeper Giorgi Mamardashvili last summer, who will jockey with Alisson across the 2024/25 season.
Then there’s Joe Gomez. Liverpool’s longest-serving first-teamer, he’s been brilliant over the past decade, but every dog has their day.
Why Liverpool should sell Joe Gomez
When Liverpool paid Charlton Athletic a sum of £3.5m for a teenage talent named Gomez, little was thought of it. Such is football. Youngsters jump ship by the dozen, and few hit the heights envisaged at that exciting, indeterminable stage.
Gomez has played 241 times for Liverpool, notably lifting the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup, among others. He’s a driven player, a resilient player. Beset by a number of career-threatening injuries, he’s always bounced back.
Last season, the defender was hailed for his “renaissance” by writer Joel Rabinowitz, having fallen by the wayside in Klopp’s penultimate year.
His opportunities under Slot have been limited, but he’s paid his dues and could be rewarded with a second Premier League title before bowing out. The Dutch boss is hardly a detractor either, praising his player’s “special” skill set.
Yes, last summer, Newcastle United came within a whisker of the England international, who was put forth as part of a package involving Anthony Gordon heading Anfield ways.
It didn’t happen, but the fact remains that Gomez was intrigued by the proposition, admitting that the saga was “definitely for real.”
The proposed £45m price tag, despite significant hurdles punctuated through his career, bespeaks his power through adversity. Gomez is worth more, say, than Diogo Jota, who Transfermarkt record to have a £42m market value.
Jota also suffers from regular fitness setbacks and is an equally important player, with Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher even claiming last season that “in terms of pure finishing,” the Portugal star is “the best” that Liverpool have had in the Premier League.
Such players bear testament to Liverpool’s strength in depth. The Anfield side don’t have the richest depth in Europe numerically, but they do boast perhaps the strongest concerning value-for-space.
Without question, Liverpool would miss his tactical pliability, should he leave. Below, see the table of Gomez’s football for the Reds over the past two campaigns; it’s remarkable how well he’s done across a raft of positions.
Right-back
29
0
1
Left-back
21
0
1
Centre-back
16
0
1
Defensive midfield
2
0
0
It’s little wonder that the 27-year-old has been described as a “coach’s dream” by one Serie A reporter, such an important utility option for a team looking to compete across multiple fronts.
However, taking all this into account, perhaps it is time for Liverpool to cash in on their long-time star. Whether Liverpool would be able to claim £45m for him this summer is open for debate, but he’s still at the top of his game and would be a credit to any top team – like Newcastle – who would wish to bolster their ranks.
Liverpool are developing under Slot, who will want funds to attack the transfer market given that Liverpool have scudded past the three recent windows having held off from making any big-money investment.
With Liverpool charging toward the Premier League title and perhaps in for more silverware besides, Gomez will hardly regret the way things panned out last year.
But when summer comes again, the separate parties might just come together and agree that it’s time to move on.
He left in 2021: Liverpool flop sold for £12m is now outscoring Nunez in PL
He could have played a part for the Anfield side over the past few years.
ByAngus Sinclair Feb 17, 2025
