Liverpool is reportedly interested in Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Joao Gomes – and the Brazil international has elite numbers which explain why the Reds might like to sign him

Liverpool has yet to complete the first transfer of the Arne Slot era. It’s no surprise the club has yet to make a move with a Copa America and European Championship complicating matters, but everyone is itching to see in which direction the squad will go.

One line from new sporting director Richard Hughes stood out in Slot’s first press conference. “It’s a very talented squad. We need to improve, and with the window open, we will always be opportunistic,” he said.

Attempting to sign a player who is under contract for another four years would be far from opportunistic. However, it has been reported that Liverpool is interested in Wolverhampton Wanderers’ midfielder Joao Gomes, who joined from Flamengo in January 2023 and has a deal in place until the end of the 2027/28 season.

The Wolves man has made eight appearances for Brazil, starting all four matches in its unsuccessful Copa America campaign alongside Alisson Becker. Gomes only made his international debut in March so has quickly established himself in the heart of the Selecao side.

The former Flamengo man has played in a variety of midfield positions across his relatively brief career, illustrating his flexibility. For instance, when Liverpool travelled to Molineux last September, he was on the right of the holding duo in a 4-2-3-1 system. In the return fixture, the Reds’ final match under Jurgen Klopp, Gary O’Neil deployed the Brazilian left-of-centre in a 3-5-1-1 framework. Gomes even played the number 10 role in a 2-2 draw against Nottingham Forest in April, positioned behind Matheus Cunha and Pablo Sarabia.