Gomez Liverpool move has shades of Shelvey’s switch to Anfield

Liverpool have captured another promising Charlton Athletic starlet this summer, with Joe Gomez arriving at Anfield for a reported £3.5m. The Addicks youngster’s career switch echoes that of former Reds signing Jonjo Shelvey, which didn’t run so smoothly as initially expected.

Brendan Rodgers has agreed a deal to bring this talented Charlton defender to the red half of Merseyside on a five-year contract, after activating the 18-year-old’s release clause, but such a switch holds familiar shades of Shelvey’s move between clubs in 2010.

After spells at both Arsenal and West Ham United youth academies, current Swansea City midfielder moved to The Valley where he flourished for four years, before spending two seasons within the senior set-up, eventually being lured to Liverpool (5/2 for top four finish 2015/16).

Arriving at Anfield for a substantial £1.7m, the Londoner held a promising reputation, having represented England at several youth levels, including captaining the Under-19s, and became Charlton’s youngest ever goalscorer with an FA Cup strike against Norwich City as a 16-year-old.

Despite showing moments of potential brilliance for the Reds, Shelvey’s three-year stay at Anfield consisted of a loan spell to Blackpool and many injury problems which halted his progression within Liverpool ranks, as he ultimately joined the Swans in 2013 for £5.5m.

Following in the same footsteps of Shelvey, new Reds signing Gomez will be aiming to make more of an impact on Merseyside, as the teenage England Under-19 starlet embarks on a new chapter in his short but sweet career.