There is one word to sum up Liverpool defender who could be set for transfer

One interesting subplot from Liverpool's win over Ipswich on Saturday was the lack of involvement for Joe Gomez. The defender was left out of the squad entirely and is now considering his options after nine years at the club. It's a long time for anyone to spend in one place, particularly now in the modern game.

You have to say that it looks like something is in the pipeline now for Gomez and he has handled himself superbly during his time at Anfield. I've had the pleasure of meeting Joe on a number of occasions during his near decade-long service to the club and you could not meet a nicer, more down-to-earth bloke than him.

He wants to be involved in the England setup having forced his way back into the thinking having been called up for Euros by Gareth Southgate and he has never really had the chance to show what he can do at centre-back for Liverpool for quite some time now, so I don't think too many would begrudge it if he had offers and decided on a change of scenery.

The word to use where Gomez is concerned is 'selfless'. He has been brilliant when called upon and has simply gone about the task he has been given, whether that is right, left or centre-half. Full credit to him for that over the years and he's won the lot as well, by the way.

Joe will do what he feels is right for him and his family and while I am sure Liverpool don't want to lose him, it will be interesting to see what happens there now after he was included in the talks over Anthony Gordon's proposed move to Anfield in June.

For Liverpool, though, a more pressing concern is how they would replace Gomez because as a squad player, you're not going to get many better than someone who can just come in and slot in that back four in any position with the sort of quality he has.

He showed that last season when he played right across the backline when Trent Alexander-Arnold, Andy Robertson and the rest of the centre-backs were either injured or suspended. He even playing as a defensive midfielder for a couple of games. That sort of versatility is invaluable to a squad.

Injuries will happen, we know that much, so Liverpool cannot look to sell without bringing someone in. The club always has to regenerate and a defensive type of player will need to be signed if Gomez goes and with the deadline on August 30, there is work to be done on that front.