Natt Philips or Joe Gomez: The Liverpool Conundrum

SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND – Sunday, February 28, 2021: Liverpool’s Nathaniel Phillips during the FA Premier League match between Sheffield United FC and Liverpool FC at Bramall Lane. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)      

A conundrum sets to fall on Liverpool now concerning its backline in regards of Joe Gomez and on loan Centre Back, Nathaniel Philips who so far is impressing in Bournemouth and has aided in the club’s promotion to the Premier League.

Liverpool according to the reports will look to tie Joe Gomez to a new contract this summer despite rumors on his Liverpool future, with talks about a move to Aston Villa with Liverpool Legend, Steven Gerrard taking interest in him.

Gomez’s contract sees its expiration in 2024, and ever since his return from a serious knee injury during pre-season, has seen a reduction in his number of appearance this season, so far making seven Premier League appearances and 10 starts in all competitions with the likes of Joel Matip and Ibrahima Konate ahead of him as Virgil van Dijk’s defensive partner.

With majority of the English defender’s game-time coming rather in an unnatural position of a right-back and as an understudy to Trent Alexander-Arnold, the defender looks to increase his chances at an International call up to the England squad ahead of the 2022 Qatar World Cup with several links to a move from Anfield.

But despite the lack of game-time, the club hasn’t given up on their star as Gomez remains a part of the club’s plans with sources revealing the club has tasked Julian Ward; the coming Sports Director with getting the defender to signing a new deal this summer to ward off other clubs.

That said, the club though realizes the task is much easier said than done depending on how the Gomez views his own situation.

Now, it stands to reason that Joe Gomez’s future is tied with another Anfield sensation in Nathaniel Philips who so far has done a tremendous job for Liverpool, aiding in the club’s effort for a Champions League place last season, and also aiding in Bournemouth’s promotion to the Premier League this season. If Gomez signs a new contract at Anfield, it then would increase chances of Nat Phillips leaving on a permanent basis in the summer.

Liverpool had received an initial £1.5m loan from the Cherries to get the player on loan in January, and look to cash in an additional £250k after including a promotion bonus as part of the deal. Meanwhile, the Liverpool Echo understands there are interests for Phillips with Bournemouth looking to keep the player on a permanent basis.

The 25-year-old is said to pleased with his loan spell with the Cherries with club bosses satisfied with the success the spell brought in granting the player the game-time he needed, but right now they stand at a cross road at determining who to let go between the two stars.