Liverpool defender Joe Gomez has signed a new long-term contract that will keep him tied down at Anfield until the summer of 2024. 

The Reds announced on Monday that the 21-year-old—who suffered a fractured leg in the recent 3-1 win over Burnley—had agreed to extend his three-year stay on Merseyside:

A statement from Gomez read:

"Signing this new deal means the world to me.

"I've been at the club a few years now and have had the pleasure to play for Liverpool and experience what that means, so I am delighted to get the chance to extend my contract here.

"I love the club, I love playing and learning here, and I am happy for that to continue."

Gomez's previous contract was due to expire in 2022, but James Pearce of the Liverpool Echo wrote in October that the club wanted to improve his terms as a reward for his dazzling displays at centre-back.

Only now—three-and-a-half years after he joined Liverpool—is the England international beginning to thrive as a member of the starting XI, and journalist Chris Bascombe hailed Gomez as a real bargain:

That will be the case if he sees out the remainder of this new deal at Anfield, an agreement which will take him to within one year of his decade at the club.

Still only 21 years of age, it's plausible Gomez could spend another 10 years or more on Merseyside, which is testament to his quality at such a young age, having already made 59 appearances for the club.

Goal's Melissa Reddy joined the chorus of those praising the young talent after his new contract was announced:

Manager Jurgen Klopp also spoke to Liverpool's official website after Gomez's extension was confirmed, speaking highly of a talent who has only improved further since his arrival in October 2015:

"It's really nice news that makes a lot of sense to everyone involved."

"Joe's development and progression has been outstanding in the past couple of seasons, and I only see his trajectory heading in an upward direction.

"He is so keen to learn and so keen to improve that I think his potential has no limit. Already this season we have seen him mature on the pitch, and the credit for that goes 100 per cent to Joe himself for the attitude he has."

Sportswriter Jack Lusby also took note of the expiration date on Gomez's contract, which runs further than those of Liverpool's other most valued stars:

Gomez is looking at a six-week absence due to his leg injury, per BBC Sport, and he will have to wait until January 2019 to celebrate his new deal on the pitch.