'EXCEPTIONAL' Liverpool star could now LEAVE with two Premier League rivals KEEN to pounce

The centre-back position was a strong talking point at the start of the season for Liverpool.

The initial debate was between Jarell Quansah and Ibrahima Konaté for who would partner Virgil van Dijk at the heart of the defence. Whilst Arne Slot opted for Quansah in his first competitive lineup, the answer that emerged fairly definitively afterwards was that Konaté would be the starter.

Absent from the squad that day was Joe Gomez who was assessing his options ahead of a potential late-stage transfer that ultimately didn’t materialise.

Read more: Much-awaited full Liverpool debut will happen vs. West Ham TONIGHT

On the move?

Now, Football Insider is reporting that both Aston Villa and Newcastle United are monitoring Gomez’s situation ahead of the January transfer window.

Newcastle were the team looking most likely to secure Gomez’s services over the summer. Initial talks have been held regarding Gomez as part of a swap deal that would have brought winger Anthony Gordon to Anfield, but this did not end up coming to fruition.

But with both clubs making solid starts to their seasons, it is understandable why they would desire the addition of such a solid depth piece in Gomez. The Englishman is the current longest-tenured player on Liverpool’s first team and has made 225 appearances for the Reds dating back to 2015. He has only made a 12 minute cameo for Liverpool this season, however, coming last week in the Champions League fixture against Milan.

Newcastle have been starting Fabian Schar and Dan Burn at centre-back this season, the latter shifted over from left-back due to Sven Botman’s ongoing ACL injury. New signing Lloyd Kelly has also made appearances thanks to a suspension for Schar. If Gomez were to go to Tyneside, he could immediately start.

Aston Villa have depth in the position - Pau Torres, Ezri Konsa, Diego Carlos, Tyrone Mings - but their tribulations in the Champions League this season could see Gomez get significant game time on rotation.

Last season, Gomez often covered for Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back alongside Conor Bradley. And Alexander-Arnold praised the former highly to the club's official website at the end of last season's campaign.

"You just want people to step up and help the team win games," Liverpool's vice captain said. "Conor did really well throughout that time to be able to step in and do really well.

"Of course Joe Gomez as well, who was exceptional over the course of the season. Both of them have been really good."