Joe Gomez next in line for new contract as Liverpool look to secure key players

Promising young defender Joe Gomez is set for contract talks in the near future, as Liverpool look to tie down their most important players.

Philippe Coutinho provided the Reds with a considerable lift on Wednesday morning as he signed a new five-year deal with the club, effectively doubling his weekly wage.

This is believed to be the first in a long line of extensions throughout Jurgen Klopp‘s squad in the coming weeks.

And according to the Mirror, Gomez is one of those due to discuss terms with Liverpool in 2017, with his current contract set to expire at the end of the 2019/20 campaign.

Dejan Lovren and Adam Lallana are also set for talks, while Alberto Moreno, Emre Can and Divock Origi have also been reported to be in the frame for improved deals.

Gomez joined the club last summer, arriving from Charlton Athletic in a deal worth £3.5 million, but after a bright start to life at Anfield, suffered a debilitating ACL injury just after Klopp’s appointment.

However, having worked his way back to full fitness, Gomez has rejoined the Reds’ first team, and made his first senior appearance in 14 months in Liverpool’s 0-0 FA Cup third-round draw at home to Plymouth Argyle.

The 19-year-old also started the resulting replay at Home Park, while he was on the substitutes’ bench against Manchester United in the Premier League and Southampton in the League Cup.

Klopp has proved a vocal admirer of Gomez since his arrival at the club 15 months ago, and looks to have earmarked the teenager for a long-term role at the heart of his defence.

His willingness to part ways with Mamadou Sakho this January without identifying a replacement is indicative of this, with Lovren, Joel Matip Ragnar Klavan and Lucas Leiva his other options at present.

Gomez can be expected to challenge Lovren for a regular role alongside Matip in the future, and can hope for considerable game time in the coming years.

This will be particularly apt if Liverpool qualify for either the Champions League or the Europa League next season, with opportunities limited at present without European competition.

With Matip struggling with a recurring ankle injury this season and both Lovren and Klavan battling for consistency, it is likely Gomez will be given his chance in the Premier League before May.

Tall, strong and composed, Gomez has all the abilities required to shine as a top-level centre-back, with a new deal serving as proof of Klopp’s belief in his No. 12.