Arne Slot gives Joe Gomez fresh message on Liverpool future

Joe Gomez has been given encouragement over his Anfield future by Liverpool manager Arne Slot.

Gomez did not travel with the Liverpool squad for last weekend’s opening 2-0 Premier League victory at Ipswich Town and a report by The Times claimed Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Fulham and Chelsea had all shown an interest in the England defender.

Jarell Quansah got the nod to partner Virgil van Dijk at Portman Road before being replaced by Ibrahima Konate at halftime.

It adds to the impression that the berth next to Van Dijk in the Liverpool backline remains up for grabs and, speaking ahead of Sunday’s match against Brentford at Anfield, Slot praised Gomez’s application during training and insisted the 27-year-old’s absence on the opening day was down to fitness concerns rather than any transfer uncertainty.

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Yeah, it's [his head] been in the right place for three weeks,” the Dutchman 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.”

Gomez was one of only three England outfield players, along with Brighton centre-back Lewis Dunk and Crystal Palace youngster Adam Wharton, not to play a single minute at Crystal Palace.