After defender Joe Gomez of Liverpool was tipped for a surprise transfer to Chelsea, Arne Slot made a statement.
Gomez is rumored to be pondering a move away from Anfield after being left out of the starting lineup for Liverpool’s Premier League opener against Ipswich Town on the road.
Due to “grown up discussions” over a possible departure between the 27-year-old and the club’s administration, he was left out of the traveling group.
Newcastle United, Aston Villa, and Fulham have all shown interest in acquiring the England defender, who has also been linked to Chelsea.
Gomez can be deployed in every position across the backline and has developed a reputation as a utility player.
Jarell Quansah started at centre-back at Portman Road before he was replaced at half-time by Ibrahima Konate.
With Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson pinning down the full-back positions, there is tough competition for places, prompting Gomez to weigh up his options.
When questioned over Gomez’s future at his pre-match press conference on Friday, Slot didn’t completely rule out his departure.
He said: ‘At this moment I am expecting everyone to be here but you know in football everything can change.’
It’s understood Gomez will be reintegrated into the squad if he remains in Merseyside beyond the end of the transfer window and Slot says he’s still happy with his attitude, as well as his performance in training.
‘Head is in the right place, has been for three weeks,’ the Reds manager added.
‘Didn’t play a lot in the Euros and we had to manage his load a bit, hence why he wasn’t in the team, so he had a good week this week.
‘He is one of the players I see new things from and learn from. It’s been a good week for him.’
Newcastle were in talks over a deal to bring Gomez to St James’ Park earlier this summer in a proposal which also saw Anthony Gordon offered to Liverpool.
Liverpool put a £45million price tag on Gomez during those discussions and there is also thought to be interest in the player elsewhere in Europe.
Slot’s side welcome Brentford to Anfield this weekend, looking to make it two wins out of two at the start of the new campaign.
Discussing his first league game at home, Slot added: ‘I am looking forward to it but also every game I have been involved in as a manager.
‘I hope the fans are twice as loud as Ipswich crowd because they were really loud, that would be a big help.
‘But I am not nervous at all, I am preparing the team. No nerves. It would not be a good thing if you have nerves because that would mean you don’t trust your team. I trust my staff what we do in the week and I trust the team.’