LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, March 9, 2026: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez during a training session at the AXA Training Centre ahead of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 1st Leg match between Galatasaray Sk and Liverpool FC. (Photo by Jessica Hornby/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, March 9, 2026: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez during a training session at the AXA Training Centre ahead of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 1st Leg match between Galatasaray Sk and Liverpool FC. (Photo by Jessica Hornby/Propaganda)
Joe Gomez had been considered likely to leave Liverpool this summer, but Andoni Iraola has now hinted the long-serving centre-back could stay for a 12th season.
Gomez has been touted for an exit for a number of years now, but the versatile defender has maintained his loyalty to Liverpool.
That appears no different in a summer in which the 29-year-old enters the final year of his contract, with little in the way of updates on his future.
And speaking in his press conference on Tuesday following Liverpool’s arrival in Chicago, Iraola named Gomez as a valuable leader in a squad which recently lost Mo Salah and Andy Robertson.
“We need the references like Virgil, like Alisson, like Joe Gomez, players that have been here for a long time,” the head coach told reporters.
“And I’m sure we will have this help, yes.”
Iraola’s comments give no indication that he views Gomez as out of his plans, with the Spaniard intent on working with his existing squad and hoping to also hold onto Alisson, Curtis Jones and Alexis Mac Allister.
Joe Gomez to join exclusive group in 12th season at Liverpool
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 25, 2025: Liverpool's Joe Gomez celebrates with the trophy after the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Crystal Palace FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 25, 2025: Liverpool's Joe Gomez celebrates with the trophy after the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Crystal Palace FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
If Gomez were to stay at Liverpool he will become only the fourth player to spend 12 or more seasons in the first team since the Premier League began in 1992.
Jamie Carragher (17), Steven Gerrard (17) and Jordan Henderson (12) are the only others to do so, while Salah, Robertson and Sami Hyypia all cut their stays short after 10 seasons.
His longevity and the respect he holds within the dressing room could make Gomez an outside candidate to take the vice-captaincy after Robertson’s exit.
Iraola has suggested he could pick more than one player to fill the role below Virgil van Dijk, and the No. 2 is clearly a positive influence around the squad – if not a regular in the starting lineup.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, December 8, 2025: Liverpool's Joe Gomez during a training session at the AXA Training Centre ahead of the UEFA Champions League match between FC Internazionale Milano and Liverpool FC. (Photo by Jessica Hornby/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, December 8, 2025: Liverpool's Joe Gomez during a training session at the AXA Training Centre ahead of the UEFA Champions League match between FC Internazionale Milano and Liverpool FC. (Photo by Jessica Hornby/Propaganda)
Speaking to LiverpoolFC.com soon after his return for pre-season, Gomez assessed his new challenge as one of the most experienced players in the group.
“I guess it’s one you kind of grow into – it’s not like an instant thing. I think with time I’ve got more used to it,” he explained.
“Everyone does it in their own way and in my way I enjoy it. It’s just something that over the last season or two I’ve got more used to it.
“Until the likes of Virgil and Ali and so on are back with us, I’m probably one of the older ones here.”
Football – FA Premier League – Liverpool FC v Crystal Palace FC
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 25, 2025: Liverpool's Kostas Tsimikas lifts the trophy, as the team celebrate becoming Champions for the 20th time, after the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Crystal Palace FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
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NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - Sunday, February 22, 2026: Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister celebrates after scoring the winning goal in the 97th minute during the FA Premier League match between Nottingham Forest FC and Liverpool FC at the City Ground. Liverpool won 1-0. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)