Liverpool's forgotten man Joe Gomez reveals his 'real' summer transfer decision

Joe Gomez admitted he was close to leaving Liverpool last summer - but is now glad he stayed at the club.

The Reds centre-back looked like he might be out of Anfield when he didn’t make the trip to Ipswich for the season opener. Gomez, 27, was deliberating his future after it became clear he would be behind Ibrahima Konate and Jarell Quansah in the pecking order to be Virgil van Dijk’s partner in the centre of defence.

But he has pushed himself up in that now he is the one getting chances in the Reds’ starting line-up with Konate sidelined through injury. And he’s impressing, too.

“It was definitely for real,” Gomez said, when asked about how close he was to leaving. “My focus was always on the club but I know how blessed I am to be here and I will be 10 years in the summer. I don’t take that for granted. It is the best club in the world in my eyes and it was quickly a case of adapting and getting into the swing of things.

“It was good to put it to bed. That is football. I am a big believer in focusing on the present. To be somewhere 10 years and not have any blips would not be natural which probably speaks about my ambition.”

Liverpool’s stunning form and potentially being part of a glorious season has helped prove to Gomes it was the right call to stay involved as they sit top of the Premier League and Champions League tables.

“It is a pleasure to be part of such a great group and we obviously have such a good foundation to hopefully achieve something this year,” said Gomez. “And that is what you want to be part of. I love being here. I love the club.”

Gomez has still had to be patient. He didn’t make his first start of the season until this month when he played from the beginning in the 2-0 win over Manchester City.

“As a player, you always want to play so you have to just try and be ready,” said Gomez. “In many ways, I am used to it and have had many ups and downs but you relish playing and having the opportunity to be in the team. We have had a great platform since the start of the season and we just want to try and carry it on. It is tricky because you don’t know when the chance will come or under what circumstances, what position and so on and so forth.

“But I can only control what I can focus on and that is being the best professional I can be. It is a great club to be at and to see the positives in it. It could be worse.”