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Steven Gerrard is plotting a raid on former club Liverpool, targeting a move for defender Joe Gomez.
Aston Villa have been incredibly active in the January transfer market, bringing in Everton defender Lucas Digne in a £25 million deal as well as securing the services of his ex Reds teammate Philippe Coutinho on a loan deal.
But Gerrard is not finished there and he's looking to make another big signing before the January transfer window closes.
According to Wayne Veysey of Football Insider, the former England skipper is a huge admirer of Gomez and is keen on bringing him to Villa Park.
The England international has fallen down the pecking order at Liverpool, with Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip and Ibrahima Konate ahead of him as far as centre-back options go.
Having come back from a long-term knee injury, Gomez has made 12 appearances in all competitions this term but hasn't started a game in the Premier League.
He had previously been a regular at the heart of the backline alongside Van Dijk, specifically in the title-winning campaign in 2019/20.
Nat Phillips, Liverpool's fifth-choice centre-back, has also attracted interest clubs. Watford and PSV are both keen and it's said the Reds are likely to get rid of one central defender.
Gomez's future is uncertain though and a switch to Villa could be exactly what he needs.
The Midlands outfit are short on senior centre-backs, with only Tyrone Mings, Ezri Konsa and Kortney Hause available after Axel Tuanzebe's loan spell ended and he joined Napoli.
Gerrard is believed to hopeful of strengthening his defence with Gomez, who can also play as a right-back.
Commenting on Gomez's situation earlier this month, Jurgen Klopp said: “It was not the best year for Joe with the injury and then coming back.
"We have not rushed his recovery or rehab. When you start playing and training again we had three or four 100% fit centre halves.
“We are patient and Joe is patient. And I don’t have any plans to give anyone on loan in the winter. I will not be the driving force anyway. He still needs time to train to get to where he was before.”
Featured Image Credit: Image: PATopics: Liverpool, Steven Gerrard, Joe Gomez, Aston Villa
Josh Lawless