Liverpool has done everything in its power to plan for a smooth transition. But there's no escaping the fact that losing Jürgen Klopp will be a huge change.

Very rarely does a manager last almost nine years at any level of the game. Klopp has overseen an entire football cycle at Liverpool, and started a new one too — he leaves behind a squad and a club that has been significantly molded in his image.

It's telling that when Arne Slot comes in (if that move is confirmed as expected), he will inherit a significant number of players who have only ever played under Klopp. Most notably, Trent Alexander-Arnold falls into that category, but there's also Curtis Jones, and then a raft of younger emerging talents.

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If you widen the criteria to those who have only ever played under Klopp specifically at Liverpool, then almost the entire squad will be in line for a new experience. The only exception is Joe Gomez.

Arriving from Charlton in the summer of 2015, Gomez was one of the final Brendan Rodgers signings. He made his debut at left-back under the Northern Irishman; things have come full-circle this season, with Klopp regularly using the defender in that role amid injuries to Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas.

Gomez has excelled in that position, to the point that there have been calls to use him there even since Robertson's return. But since the Scot has been back fit, the England international has found himself once again relegated to the periphery, seen only as strong back-up across every defensive role.

Perhaps that's partly why Gomez is open to a move away, according to Anfield Watch. It's claimed that while he does not intend to push to leave this summer along with Klopp, he wants Liverpool to listen to any reasonable offers that may come in.

But Liverpool must ensure that Gomez becomes the sole player to span the last three managerial eras at the club. He can be a hugely useful option for Slot, and the incentive is there for him to stay.

For one thing, everyone is getting a clean slate under Slot. There's no reason why Gomez cannot impress in pre-season to the point where the starting place is his when the new campaign gets underway.

That's especially the case when you consider that Van Dijk is turning 33 in July. Having stuck it out this long, it would be a pity for Gomez to move on just when that long-occupied slot is opening up. Joël Matip, meanwhile, will leave on a free transfer.

Of course, Matip has been out for months, and Gomez has still struggled for opportunities in the heart of defense. He has sometimes even found Jarell Quansah ahead of him in the pecking order. But Liverpool's defensive record has been far better when he has featured in the side, and he deserves to be afforded more prominence.

Per Bass Tuned to Red, among players with at least as many minutes as Gomez, only Martin Ødegaard at Arsenal has contributed to a lower rate of goals conceded per 90. Across all his various positions, the Liverpool defender has seen his side let in an average of just 0.76 goals per game this season.

Despite his longevity at Liverpool, Gomez is still only 26. It would make no sense to deprive Slot of a defender just entering his peak years, with his talent having been abundantly clear at various times throughout the Klopp era, most of all in the title-winning campaign.

You could understand why Gomez might be ready for a fresh challenge. But he'd be getting that by staying at Liverpool, and perhaps this third era is the one where he becomes a real fixture.