Liverpool head coach Arne Slot anticipates that Joe Gomez will stay at the club beyond the transfer deadline, despite ongoing rumours about the defender's future.

The Reds kicked off their 2024-25 Premier League campaign at Portman Road on Saturday afternoon, but Gomez did not travel with the squad.

Several reports suggest that Gomez is contemplating his future on Merseyside, weighing whether now is the right time to pursue a new challenge where he could secure more regular first-team opportunities.

The 27-year-old is Liverpool's longest-serving player having moved to Anfield in 2015 and has been linked with a move to Newcastle United, who are looking to bolster their defensive options before the transfer deadline.

Liverpool have no intention to sell Gomez this summer

Speaking ahead of his side's meeting with Brentford this weekend, Slot explained why Gomez did not travel with the team to Portman Road for the season-opener and attempted to dampen talks of a potential exit for the player.

"He has worked really hard since he came back," Slot said. "He didn't play a lot in the Euros and when he came back in the first sessions he couldn't train the whole session so we had to manage his load and that was also a bit a reason why he wasn't in the team last weekend.

"This week he had a good week in terms of load and how much he could do with the team. He is one of the players that I see new things from.

"At this moment I am expecting everyone to be here (when the window shuts) but you are maybe even longer in football than I am looking at you, a little bit older than me! Everything can change."

Only Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold logged more minutes than Gomez among the defenders last season, although much of his time was spent covering at left-back.

The Liverpool boss has not guaranteed any of his centre-backs a starting role this season, and that was evident last weekend when Jarell Quansah was substituted by Ibrahima Konate at half-time, as Slot aimed to alter the team's dynamic.

The change had the desired effect, with two second-half goals securing a win and a significantly improved performance.

Slot addresses Liverpool's summer transfer business

Liverpool are still the only Premier League team that has not made a new signing this summer, and Slot was asked if he was concerned about the lack of activity in that area.

He said: "No, because I trust the team. I inherited a really good team, a team of many young players as well and I think we all know, especially young players they can develop.

"We just try to work as hard as we can with them and trust them a lot. They proved last week they have earned this trust and I am hoping they can show the same on Sunday as well."

The Reds have been linked with moves for Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi and Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite, who is also believed to be on the radar of Manchester United.