Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard to make new move for Liverpool player he ‘hugely admires’

Liverpool defender Joe Gomez could be on his way out of the club after being targeted for a January deal by Aston Villa, according to reports.

The Midlands side, managed by Reds legend Steven Gerrard, are refusing to giving up hope of signing the English defender.

Villa showed interest in Gomez earlier in the transfer window after losing Manchester United’s on loan defender Axel Tuanzebe to Napoli.

Gomez, 24, has only featured 12 times in all competitions this season and has been unused substitute in 13 of the Reds’ 23 league outings.

In his four appearances in the Premier League, Gomez has only collected 15 minutes.

A report from Football Insider suggest that Gerrard is a “huge admirer” of the former Charlton Athletic defender.

He has already secured one player with a Liverpool past after signing Phillipe Coutinho on loan from Barcelona.

Liverpool’s defensive options

Jurgen Klopp currently has a crop of centre-backs to choose from at Anfield. Virgil Van Dijk’s return from injury this season has been a massive boost, with Joel Matip and Ibrahim Konate also featuring more than Gomez this season.

Gomez’s four starts this term have all come in the Champions League and League Cup, seeing his playing time at Anfield reduce after rupturing a tendon in his left knee last season.

Before the injury, the defender was a key member of Klopp’s squad and helped them lift their first Premier League title.

Another defender who has been linked with a move away from the club is Nat Phillips. Like Gomez, Phillips has found minutes hard to come by this season and now faces the possibility of being transferred.

West Ham United, PSV and Newcastle United have been linked with the Bolton-born man after he has only played three first team games this season.

How likely is the deal?

Liverpool seem likely to sell one of their centre-backs before the window shuts. With Konate and Maitp leapfrogging Gomez as Klopp’s first choice at the back, the England international’s future in Merseyside could be coming to an end.

Gerrard’s links at the Liverpool could play a major role in getting the deal across the line.

Since arriving at Villa Park, Gerrard’s side have shipped 13 goals and away from Tyrone Mings and Ezri Konsa, Kourtney Hause is their only senior centre-back at the club.