James Pearce: Liverpool Defender Who Recently Questioned His Future Now Expected to Stay
According to journalist James Pearce, Liverpool defender Joe Gomez is now expected to remain at Anfield for at least the 2026/27 season, despite earlier uncertainty surrounding his future.
Earlier this month, Gomez admitted that he was unsure whether he would still be a Liverpool player by the end of the summer, suggesting that anything could happen as he enters the final year of his contract.
Liverpool’s defensive setup is already undergoing significant changes. Young defender Jérémy Jacquet is set to join the first-team squad, while Ibrahima Konaté is reportedly on course to leave when his contract expires next month.
In an article for The Athletic, Pearce explained the circumstances behind Konaté’s expected departure and noted that Gomez is now “likely to stay” for the final year of his deal.
With Konaté seemingly heading for the exit, keeping Gomez has become increasingly important. While captain Virgil van Dijk remains the leader of Liverpool’s back line, the club’s other centre-back options are largely inexperienced, including Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni, neither of whom has Premier League experience.
Liverpool’s next head coach—whether that’s Andoni Iraola or another candidate—may look to strengthen the defence with an experienced signing. However, if no new centre-back arrives, Gomez’s experience, versatility, and leadership could prove invaluable, both on the pitch and in helping younger defenders adapt.
Although Liverpool could potentially lose both Van Dijk and Gomez on free transfers next summer, retaining them for the upcoming campaign appears far more beneficial than selling them now, especially given the limited transfer fees they would likely generate at this stage of their careers.
