Liverpool star keen on staying at club, wants to emerge as key player under Arne Slot: Reports

Liverpool defender Joe Gomez is allegedly interested in staying at the Anfield club, despite recent speculations about the player's departure.

Gomez, 27, has established himself as a crucial squad member for the Reds since arriving from Charlton Athletic for around £4 million in the summer of 2015. He has helped his team win eight trophies so far.

Earlier this month, HITC reported that the 15-cap England international is prepared to end his nine-year-long stint at Liverpool. Hence, the versatile defender has lately popped up as a defensive transfer target for Aston Villa, West Ham United, Crystal Palace, and Brentford.

However, according to The Times reporter Paul Joyce, Gomez is hoping to remain at the Merseyside outfit. Despite being previously linked with a move worth around £45 million to Newcastle United, he is focused on emerging as a vital player under Reds head coach Arne Slot.

Gomez, whose current deal will run out in June 2026, has made 224 appearances across competitions for Liverpool so far. He has laid out nine assists, often playing either as a right-back or a left-back.

Liverpool midfielder hails Mohamed Salah's creative ability after recent friendly triumph

Earlier this Saturday (August 3), Liverpool registered a 3-0 pre-season friendly win over Manchester United in Columbia, United States. Fabio Carvalho, Curtis Jones, and Kostas Tsimikas each scored a goal.

After the end of the match, Jones lavished praise on Mohamed Salah for assisting him in the 36th minute. The midfielder said (h/t GOAL):

"That's what he is great at and he reads the game as well. I just had an eye on the goal and I know Mo likes to get assists as well, he is fantastic at getting his head up and he put it on a plate for me."

Commenting on his goalscoring ambitions, the 23-year-old continued:

"That's a part of my game [scoring goals] I feel I can improve and get in the box more; I can score more goals. I can play deep and I can also play high. Football now has changed as it's all about stats with goals and assists. I've got to try to improve my game and I think a big part of that is scoring goals, assist more and be involved as much as I can."

Last season, Jones found the back of the net five times and recorded three assists in 36 appearances across all competitions for Liverpool.