Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has expressed confidence that Joe Gomez will remain at the club beyond the transfer deadline, despite ongoing speculation about the defender’s future.
The 27-year-old was omitted from the squad for Liverpool’s Premier League opener against Ipswich Town, sparking rumours that he might leave the club this transfer window.
Several Premier League clubs including Newcastle United and Aston Villa have shown interest in Joe Gomez as part of their search for a versatile defender, with Chelsea’s Trevoh Chalobah also on their shortlist.
However, ahead of Liverpool’s match against Brentford on Sunday, Slot provided clarification on Gomez’s absence from the squad at Portman Road last week and sought to quell the rumors of a potential exit.
“Yeah, it’s [his head] been in the right place for three weeks,” Slot said.
“He’s worked really hard since he came back, but he didn’t play a lot at the Euros.
“When he came back in the first sessions he couldn’t train the whole sessions, so we had to manage his load a bit.
“That was also the reason why he wasn’t in the team last Saturday.
“But this week he had a good week in terms of load and how much he could do with the team.
“He’s one of the players that I see new things from and learn things from what I see, also combined with other players.
“It’s been a good week for him and for us until now.
The Dutchman added: “At this moment, I’m expecting everyone to be here.
“But like you know – you are maybe even longer in football than I am, looking at you, [you are] a little bit older than me! – everything can change.”
Liverpool are currently the only Premier League team yet to make a new signing this summer.
When asked about the lack of activity in the transfer market, Slot expressed his concerns.
“No, because I trust the team,” the 45-year-old replied.
“I inherited a really good team, a team of many young players as well and I think we all know, especially young players they can develop.
“We just try to work as hard as we can with them and trust them a lot.
“They proved last week they have earned this trust and I am hoping they can show the same on Sunday as well.”
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