AC Milan technical director Paolo Maldini was spotted chatting with Joe Gomez after Friday’s friendly against Liverpool.
The two teams lined-up for a rematch of the Champions League finals of 2005 and 2007 last week, with the Reds winning 4-1. And as per Inside Dubai on Liverpool’s YouTube channel, Maldini made a beeline for Gomez after the game.
With Naby Keita joking around with Divock Origi and Tiemoue Bakayoko in the tunnel, Maldini and Gomez stand beside them, locked in conversation.
The iconic defender then shakes the Liverpool man’s hand with a big smile and a hug, as they part ways. It’s probably nothing, but with Maldini now handling transfers for Milan, perhaps Reds fans should be a little worried.
Maldini eyeing Gomez move?
Well, who knew? The great Maldini is a fan of Liverpool’s No.2 after all!
No, it’s hard to believe that the World Cup winner sought out Gomez to compliment him on his game.
So, that leaves us two reasons behind their conversation: firstly, the Liverpool player actively approached Maldini as a fan. The Italian is a legendary figure in football and, being a centre-back-cum-full-back, one Gomez surely looks up to.
Secondly, and this is where it gets hairy for Liverpool fans, Maldini is looking to add Gomez to his squad.
With Fikayo Tomori already in the Milan stable, he has shown himself to be willing to shop in the English market. Perhaps Maldini has designs on pairing up two of England’s brightest centre-backs together.
Certainly, that would look like a very good partnership indeed. With Gomez’s standing at Liverpool still a little unsure despite a summer contract renewal, maybe Maldini senses an opportunity for next year.
Whether or not Liverpool would be open to that very much depends on how Gomez does this season. The 25-year-old has played much more football than the previous two campaigns, with Joel Matip and Ibrahima Konate suffering fitness issues.
Gomez has been described as being ‘brilliant’ by Martin Keown for BBC Sport this season. But he has also had some extremely poor moments, too. If the latter starts to outweigh the former, then maybe it’s worth Liverpool getting Maldini on the phone next summer.
