The 24-year-old would be a high-quality option for Arne Slot’s side and a deal could prove possible to sign due to Newcastle’s financial uncertainty. While Eddie Howe’s side were able to raise funds through the sales of Yankuba Minteh and Elliot Anderson, there could well be opportunities to test the Magpies’ resolve by pursuing Botman and, indeed, Anthony Gordon.
Another option could be Bayer Leverkusen's Piero Hincapie, who helped the German club go unbeaten en route to their first-ever Bundesliga title in addition to claiming the DFB Pokal under former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso.
James Quinlan
Allowing Gomez to leave seems a mistake from the outset - from an emotional viewpoint nobody wants to see the longest-serving member of the team move on, especially without that first goal he desperately deserves. Following that, tactically he is the only option that can fill in for every position across the defensive line, last year arguably playing as the strongest left back on the roster without that being his natural position.
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Joe Gomez of Liverpool during a training session at AXA Training Centre on August 9 2024
But this isn't the Klopp era, now we trust in Slot. Realistically that is going to be difficult to do without the new hierarchy dipping into the market for an alternative.
Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas seem to be the pair the head coach is happy to use for the season on the left, whilst he has got Trent Alexander-Arnold and Conor Bradley to decide from on the opposite flank. Therefore Gomez's departure, adding to Joel Matip's earlier in the year, means the brief surely has to be the recruitment of an experienced central defender.
Someone that can arrive, do the job required but know they are not truly destined to feature alongside Virgil van Dijk every minute of the season, which understandably will be easier wished upon than found.
Amie Wilson
Allowing Gomez to leave should only be done under one circumstance, and that is that an adequate replacement is brought in. Even before there were major doubts over Gomez’s future, the Reds were looking for a defender.
They were heavily linked with Leny Yoro before he completed a move to Manchester United earlier in the summer. The developments surrounding Gomez now make the need even more.
One solution could be to make a move for Mario Hermoso. The former Atletico Madrid man is available on a free transfer after leaving the club at the end of his contract.
If Liverpool are able to complete a deal for the 29-year-old while cashing in on Gomez, then it could turn out to be good move. The Reds are said to be looking for a fee of around £45 million for Gomez, while Hermoso is slightly older and doesn’t offer quite as much versatility, he has previously filled in at left-back so could prove to be a cost-effective replacement.
Isaac Seelochan
If Liverpool need another centre-back, they could do worse than looking at David Hancko. The Slovakian will know Arne Slot well from their time at Feyenoord together and can also play at left-back if needed.
The 26-year-old has been linked with a move to Merseyside this summer and played well at Euro 2024 having almost kept a clean sheet to knock England out in the last 16. Hancko also has experience of playing in the Champions League so won't be overawed at playing in that competition.
If they can't get Hancko then a move for free agent Mario Hermoso may also be a smart move. The Spaniard is still only 29 and has plenty of experience from his time at Atletico Madrid.
Oliver Jones
I think if Liverpool do allow Gomez to leave, even if it's for a big sum, it'd be Arne Slot's first grave mistake in the hot seat at Anfield. Allowing someone with his versatility to be sold could prove to be an issue if they end up picking up a number of defensive injuries over the first few months of the season.
If they are to sell Gomez, they must find a replacement for him before the window shuts. That could be free agent Mario Hermoso after the 29-year-old left Atletico Madrid following the expiration of his contract or they could turn to other options.
They've also been heavily linked with Everton star Jarrad Branthwaite over the last few days after his odds around a move to rivals Liverpool were slashed in the betting markets, leaving many wondering whether the Reds could be lining up a huge move to take away their bitter enemies' brightest talent.
Kieran King
If Liverpool dip into the market to sign a new centre-back before the end of the summer, Jarrad Branthwaite is the man they should target. The 21-year-old has been excellent for Everton since breaking into the side under Sean Dyche and his absence was telling in the 3-0 defeat against Brighton on Saturday.
Yes, Branthwaite could be expensive due to the fact Manchester United failed with a £45million plus add-ons bid for him last month, but Liverpool should try and do all they can to sign him. With Joe Gomez looking like he is on his way out of Anfield, a centre-back unit of Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, Jarell Quansah and Branthwaite could be title-winning if the Reds manage to sign a central midfielder, too.
A cheaper alternative would be former Atletico Madrid defender Mario Hermoso. The 29-year-old, who has an abundance of top-flight experience, is a free agent following the expiration of his contract.
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