Steven Gerrard receives Liverpool transfer response as Aston Villa face rejection

Aston Villa are reportedly interested in a summer transfer swoop for Liverpool centre-back Joe Gomez.

The 24-year-old was a target for Steven Gerrard back in January, but with the Reds still competing on all fronts, manager Jurgen Klopp was reluctant to let him leave the club on loan or on a permanent basis. But this summer, Gomez's future well be called into question once more.

Gomez has made only seven Premier League appearances this season and has started just three times, in games against Norwich City, Watford and Newcastle United. Though, Liverpool are reportedly set to offer the versatile defender a new deal to remain at Anfield.

According to the Liverpool Echo, Liverpool will look to tie Gomez down to a new contract this summer despite ongoing speculation about his Reds future. He has found his game-time limited at Anfield this season following his return from a serious knee injury in pre-season and has fallen behind Joel Matip and Ibrahima Konate in the pecking order to be Virgil van Dijk’s defensive partner.

Gomez needs to be playing his football more regularly to be considered for England's World Cup 2022 squad, but perhaps that ship has already sailed while Gareth Southgate hasn't picked him for some time. The Liverpool defender hasn’t featured for England since 2020, but still has 11 caps to his name.

And the Echo claim that one of Gomez or Nat Phillips - who is currently on loan at Bournemouth - could leave Liverpool this summer. The Cherries are said to be interested in keeping Phillips next season as they attempt to stave off relegation from the Premier League, leaving Gomez as a back-up option in Klopp's squad if he opts to pen fresh terms.

For Villa, Gerrard will be disappointed to miss out on