Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp reportedly has no intention of letting Joe Gomez leave the club in the January transfer window.
The 24-year-old has been forced to watch Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip form the Reds' regular centre-back pairing this term, while Ibrahima Konate is also seemingly ahead of him in the pecking order.
Gomez's lack of game time has unsurprisingly seen the England international linked with a move elsewhere, with Aston Villa persistently linked with a January swoop.
However, Football Insider claims that Klopp is not willing to let Gomez depart the club over the winter, and Aston Villa have been informed of the German's stance.
The report adds that Steven Gerrard will now be forced to search elsewhere for defensive reinforcements, but Liverpool could still trim their defensive ranks by offloading Rhys Williams or Nat Phillips in the coming days.
Gomez has made just 12 appearances for Liverpool in all competitions this season, including a measly 15 minutes in four substitute outings in the Premier League.
The former Charlton Athletic youngster remains under contract at Anfield until the summer of 2024.
Ben Knapton
