Brendan Rodgers has revealed that new recruit Joe Gomez will not be loaned out this season and says the youngster has already shown enough to suggest that he will compete for a place in the first team.
Having joined the Reds from Charlton Athletic this summer for an initial £3.5m it was widely expected that Gomez would be sent out on loan to gain experience this year, similar to how Rodgers has handled another versatile young defender, Andre Wisdom, but the Northern Irishman has now dismissed that idea.
The teenager impressed playing out of position at left back in the Reds 2-1 win over Brisbane Roar this morning and speaking after the game Rodgers was full of praise for the new boy: “He’s staying" he said. "I’ve seen enough in this period; you judge young players, I always bring them in and over pre-season have a good idea of whether we’re going to keep them or not.
The England youth international also caught the eye at right back in Thailand on Tuesday and plays with a composure and assurance in numerous positions that belies his youth, and he's already made a big impression on his new boss. “Seeing him, in particular close at hand and his personality – he’ll be staying, he’ll get games" Rodgers insisted. "He’s only 18 years of age, but seeing him play at left-back for the first time, he looked an outstanding athlete and a really good footballer. I’ve seen him at centre-half and at right-back, but I wanted to see him at left-back – and I thought he was outstanding.”
“We took him in from Charlton where he played as a centre-half as a two, played in a back three and he’s also played as a right-back, so he’s got all the tools to play across the back four. He’s a big talent.”
If Gomez does stick around this season it would appear to throw the future of Wisdom into some doubt, despite the 22 year old having only just signed a contract extension this summer. Wisdom did not feature against Brisbane but will presumably get his opportunity in the next leg of the tour in Adelaide on Monday. Another loan move would appear to be on the cards for him now, however, given that he and Gomez appear to be in direct competition for a place in the squad.
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