An ex-Red said he “would be gutted” to see a “sensational” player depart Liverpool, drawing parallels with the Madrid duo.

An ex-Red said he “would be gutted” to see a “sensational” player depart Liverpool, drawing parallels with the Madrid duo.

Steve McManaman, who called the 26-year-old “absolutely priceless,” said he “would be gutted” to see one player in particular leave Liverpool.

Joe Gomez has been playing for Anfield the longest since Jordan Henderson left for Saudi Arabia in the summer, and he has been playing well lately.

After joining Brendan Rodgers from Charlton in 2015, the adaptable defender has won every major award imaginable while playing on Merseyside.

Gomez is “just as important as the superstars,” according to former ex-Red player McManaman, who recently filled in for the injured Kostas Tsimikas at left back.

He said to Liverpool Echo (via Rousing The Kop) that “I would be gutted if he left because people like Gomez are absolutely priceless to you at a football club.”

“Going back to Real Madrid, they have two players who have been there for more than ten years: Lucas Vasquez and Nacho. They are adored by their teammates, if you ask any of them about their opinions. They remain there because of this.

“Players like that are essential to teams and hold equal importance with superstars.”

The London-born player is a fantastic player when he’s on his game, so we’re happy to see him succeeding right now.

McManaman is right to commend the England international because he’s always eager to lend a hand to the team when needed.

Having played every position in our backline this season, he is currently our sole senior option capable of playing left back because Tsimikas and Andy Robertson are both out.

Gomez, who has been described by Jurgen Klopp as a “sensational footballer” (via Liverpoolfc.com), has not yet scored for the Reds, but in recent weeks he has been coming closer, since his position as a full-back allows him to penetrate dangerous areas higher upfield.

If he could lead us to a win over Newcastle on New Year’s Day, it would be a fantastic way to start 2024—we’ll have to wait and see!

More news…….

When Liverpool will lose Wataru Endo and Mo Salah is confirmed by Jurgen Klopp.

When Wataru Endo and Mohamed Salah will depart Liverpool to play in midseason international competitions, Jurgen Klopp has revealed.

Because of the diverse roster that Klopp assembled at Liverpool, it has frequently happened that important players miss games at the beginning of the year.

Salah, Sadio Mane, and Naby Keita have all missed seasons of the Africa Cup of Nations, which is primarily to blame for that.

However, the Asian Cup this year will add to that, as Japan’s captain is summer signing Endo.

The expectation was that Endo and Salah, who will also serve as Egypt’s captains during their AFCON trip to the Ivory Coast, would be fit for their FA Cup third-round match against Arsenal on January 7.

However, Klopp has stated that the two are anticipated to leave right after Newcastle’s Premier League visit on New Year’s Day.

In his lengthy pre-match press conference on Friday, the manager provided updates to reporters, including Andy Hunter of the Guardian.

Liverpool may be without Salah and Endo for a while as AFCON takes place from January 13 to February 11 and the Asian Cup from January 12 to February 10.

They will, at minimum, be unable to attend the following four games:

• Arsenal (A) – FA Cup third round – January 7
• Fulham (H) – Carabao Cup semi-final – January 10
• Bournemouth (A) – Premier League – January 21
• Fulham (A) – Carabao Cup semi-final – January 24

They would miss four further games, including maybe an FA Cup fourth-round tie, if they get all the way to their respective finals.

That would also mean they would not be able to play Burnley (H, Feb. 10), Chelsea (H, Jan. 31), Arsenal (A, Feb. 4), or Brentford (A, Feb. 17).

As things stand, Liverpool will miss at least four games without their leading scorer and a crucial midfield player.

It is not ideal given the state of injuries in Klopp’s team, with Ben Doak, Stefan Bajcetic, Joel Matip, Thiago, and Diogo Jota remaining sidelined, Andy Robertson not yet back in contact training, and all of them long-term absences.

The boss has already hinted at his strategy without Salah, so it will be hoped that Mac Allister and Jota return in time for the FA Cup match at Arsenal.

In the Carabao Cup quarterfinals, Harvey Elliott started on the right wing in the 5-1 victory over West Ham. Dominik Szoboszlai is an additional possibility