Jurgen Klopp was delighted after Joe Gomez put pen to paper on a new deal at Anfield which would extend the defender’s seven-year-long stint in the Liverpool shirt.
Gomez put rest to the speculation that had been the rounds as of late over his future on Merseyside beyond this summer’s transfer window by agreeing upon extended terms ahead of the start of the new season.
The England international was rumoured to be eyed up by Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa with the former Liverpool skipper hoping to move in for the Reds centre-back who had fallen down the pecking order last season under Jurgen Klopp.
Gomez, despite his severely curtailed game time last term which saw him make just 21 outings in all competitions, is still viewed as an important part of the Liverpool squad by Klopp who was all praises for the player following his contract renewal.
Speaking to the club’s official website, the Liverpool head coach said much more was to come from the London-born defender in the coming years with Gomez’s fitness levels on his return to the pre-season camp also subject to plaudits.
“As a club, we have had a lot of good, really good news lately and this is some more.
“Joe is an outstanding talent. He is also an outstanding defender and an outstanding human being. He has so many qualities, I could talk about them all day, so knowing that he will continue his journey with us is a massive boost – one that everyone who loves Liverpool FC and cares about its present and future should be unbelievably happy about.
“One of the many wonderful things about Joe is he has experience and youth – that’s not a bad combination. He has not long turned 25 but he was at the club before I was and I think after Hendo and Millie he is our longest-serving player. Incredible. But the best thing of all is that his best years are still to come and I could not be happier that this will happen with us.
“In terms of right now, Joe is in phenomenal shape. We had a few weeks off and when I returned to AXA I saw him and my first thought was ‘Wow!’ Physically, he is in such a good place and now all he needs is a good pre-season and the rhythm that comes from this.
“Everything else is in place and I could not be happier that he will be staying with us for even longer.”
