Joe Gomez, Liverpool's longest-serving senior player, has hinted at his desire to remain with the Reds this summer, amid Jarell Quansah's impending move to Bayer Leverkusen.
Virgil van Dijk had already committed his future to Liverpool in April, but the fate of their other senior center-backs remains uncertain. Ibrahima Konate, whose contract expires at the end of the season, is said to be attracting interest from both Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain.
Meanwhile, Quansah, who found limited opportunities under Arne Slot, appears set for a Bundesliga switch. Talks are ongoing with Bayer Leverkusen over a deal for the 22-year-old defender.
Gomez nearly departed Anfield last summer in a $60 million (£45 million) transfer to Newcastle United. He was initially excluded from Liverpool's matchday squad at the start of the season due to uncertainty surrounding his future, making his first Premier League appearance only at the end of September.
Last season, Gomez started 11 out of his 17 appearances for Liverpool, with just nine of these coming in the Premier League, before a hamstring injury sidelined him for most of the second half of the campaign.
His future at Anfield had been a topic of speculation as a result. However, in an emotional social media post marking his 10th anniversary with Liverpool, Gomez expressed gratitude to the fans, hinting at his preference to stay with the club this summer.
Joe Gomez of Liverpool
Joe Gomez of Liverpool (Image: Nikki Dyer - LFC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Reflecting on his journey from South London to Liverpool, the player expressed his gratitude on social media. "10 years ago, as a kid moving from south east London to Liverpool, I couldn't even imagine looking this far into the future," he wrote on Instagram.
"Looking back now, I'm full of gratitude and take so much pride in being a part of this club and city.
"No denying the challenges along the way, but embracing them to grow as both a player and a person is something I've always tried to do and I'm grateful for all the support in trying to do that."
He cherishes the camaraderie and accomplishments forged with teammates and staff over the years, adding: "It's been a blessing to be a part of the different dressing rooms and getting to create such special memories over the years with so many great players and staff.
"I felt it was important to share my thanks to you all for the support throughout the years, it's always meant the world and I will never take it for granted. A decade in red... and still hungry to keep going."
Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi has been put forward as one possible option for Liverpool to replace Quansah. Losing the talented England U21 international and Gomez, though, would leave a huge gap. If Gomez is staying, that would be a major boost.
Liverpool.com says: Slot spoke about the influence that Gomez has in the dressing room at the end of last season. Keeping that, especially if Andy Robertson leaves for Atletico Madrid, will be vital. Losing too much experience and know-how in one summer would be a mistake.