Liverpool have made a transfer U-turn after deciding to keep hold of Joe Gomez.
The defender has been linked with a summer move to join Anfield legend Steven Gerrard at Aston Villa, but newly-appointed sporting director Julian Ward would like to keep hold of him. That has kicked off negotiations for a new contract in order to tie Gomez down to a new long-term deal.
It comes as Roberto Firmino's potential departure could pose something of a tactical problem for Reds boss Jurgen Klopp. And Liverpool's shirt numbers for the forthcoming season have been confirmed – with Harvey Elliott and Ben Davies set to wear new numbers.
Here are Mirror Football's latest Liverpool headlines.
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Gomez transfer U-turn
New sports director Julian Ward took over from outgoing manager Michael Edwards at Anfield, and he is currently trying to lock down Joe Gomez on a new contract.
Gomez, 25, is in negotiations for a new contract to fend off interest from clubs such as Aston Villa, Mirror Football understands. The Reds defender has struggled to force himself into the first-team picture at Anfield but is highly regarded by Jurgen Klopp and his staff.
And Gomez is now locked in negotiations with Liverpool to prolong his stay at the club as his current deal is due to expire in 2024.
Firmino problem arises
Roberto Firmino's departure could cause Jurgen Klopp a big tactical problem.
The Brazilian forward has been a huge success since joining Liverpool from Hoffenheim in 2015, but he now has just one year left on his contract with no announcement over a new deal in sight. Firmino performs something of a unique role within Klopp's side, with the Reds manager describing him as "the best offensive defender I ever saw in my life" last season.
His ability to press high provides Klopp with a potent weapon, and one that he is unlikely to be able to easily replicate.
New shirt numbers confirmed
Liverpool have confirmed their squad's shirt numbers for the upcoming 2022/23 season.
New signing Darwin Nunez will wear the No. 27 jersey after Divock Origi departed for AC Milan this summer, it has been announced.
Fabio Carvalho, another recent addition, will wear No. 28, just as he did during his time at Fulham. Ben Davies, who wore No. 28 will now wear No. 24, while Harvey Elliott is set to take Sadio Mane's shirt number following his transfer to Bayern Munich, with the Reds forward swapping No.67 for No.19.
