Could a Joe Gomez exit see Liverpool move for Jarrad Branthwaite?

In a summer of complete inaction in terms of incomings at Liverpool, Jarrad Branthwaite has been somewhat of a mainstay in regards to players linked with the Reds, but how hungry is the Anfield side for the defender's signature?

There's never been any credible support to back up any rumours linking Branthwaite to Liverpool but Bet365's fluctuating odds over recent days has certainly raised questions over the apparent likelihood of the Everton defender making a switch across Stanley Park.

Liverpool fans were quick to notice the odds of the Englishman moving to Liverpool had been slashed from 10/1 to 4/5, while Branthwaite to stay at Goodison Park was priced at 6/4, portraying the idea that a move to Anfield was more likely than remaining at the Toffees.

There has been a suggestion of "mischief-making" to spark rumours as we near deadline day being the reason behind the price changes with those close to Branthwaite also being baffled by the recent movements of odds.

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Could a Joe Gomez depature spark genuine interest in Jarrad Branthwaite?

Joe Gomez didn't travel with the Liverpool squad for their campaign's curtain raiser against Ipswich on Sunday as the defender is believed to be exploring potential transfer options before the end of the summer window.

Gomez was recently linked with a move to Newcastle, as part of a deal that would've seen Anthony Gordon move to Anfield, but Newcastle found an alternative solution to their PSR issues by offloading Yankuba Minteh to Brighton instead.

According to the Liverpool ECHO, whether a departure of Gomez could lead to genuine interest in Branthwaite remains to be seen. It's also unclear at this stage if there is any concrete desire at Liverpool to push ahead with what would be massively costly and a shocking move.

Everton value the centre back at £80 million to try and lure big clubs from convincing him away from Goodison Park. So a price of that magnitude and the business between Liverpool and Everton being a rarity, it would be no shock that Liverpool's appetite for Branthwaite remains slight.