Liverpool might need to recruit replacements for Joe Gomez if the defender joins Real Madrid in January. The La Liga side are reportedly monitoring Gomez’s situation at Anfield, where the 24-year-old has fallen down the pecking order.
Gomez, who was signed from Charlton in 2015, has struggled with injuries during his time at Liverpool and has seen new signings take his place in Jurgen Klopp’s team.
The England star’s appearance in Liverpool’s Carabao Cup victory over Leicester on Wednesday was just his tenth in all competitions this season.
During his time on Merseyside, Gomez has seen Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip and Ibrahima Konate all arrive and go ahead of him in Klopp’s thinking.
That could leave Gomez looking for a fresh start in the winter transfer window, with the BBC reporting that Real are keen on the player.
Express Sport looks at three players who could replace Gomez at Liverpool in January.
Liverpool defender Joe Gomez is reportedly of interest to Real Madrid (Image: GETTY)
Sven Botman
Liverpool were actually linked with Dutch defender Botman last January.
Klopp was short of options due to a defensive injury crisis. Van Dijk had been ruled out for the rest of the 2020-21 season. Gomez and Matip spent large parts of the campaign on the sidelines.
Botman was sought but Lille were not keen to sell. Liverpool instead signed Ozan Kabak on loan from Schalke and Ben Davies from Preston.
But they could go back in for the 21-year-old if Klopp needs a new centre-back in January.
Botman is also left footed, which might give him an advantage of going straight into Klopp’s team given that each of his potential competition are more dominant on their right side.
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Several reports in the Spanish press have linked Barcelona defender Araujo to Liverpool.
The LaLiga side will need to ease their huge debts to bring in players, especially if they plan on sealing their reported pursuit of Manchester City forward Ferran Torres.
Araujo has become a key player for Barca since arriving from Boston River aged 19.
He has made 57 appearances in total, including 18 this term under Ronald Koeman and now Xavi Hernandez.
He would add depth to Liverpool’s options and would perhaps be seen as a long-term replacement for Virgil van Dijk.