Given how relentless Liverpool have been this season, many would have forgiven the likes of Leicester City and Manchester City for being buoyed at the fact that the Reds have two centre-halves out through injury and, as a result, contemplating playing players out of position. However, Joe Gomez has really stepped up to fill the void.
Joe Gomez Helps Liverpool Overcome Defensive Injuries
Liverpool are proving time and time again that they can overcome any set back that faces them. They have shown remarkable consistency. The Reds have won 16 of their 17 Premier League games this season and are running away with the title. Now, despite having Joel Matip and Dejan Lovren on the sidelines, Jurgen Klopp’s men could well get even better.
That is largely due to the impressive Joe Gomez. Liverpool have shown to be vulnerable at the back against teams that put them under pressure. This is despite conceding only 14 league goals this season- the second-fewest behind Leicester. However, the return of Gomez to partner Virgil Van Dijk at centre-back has resulted in two consecutive clean sheets. This is the first time they have done so this season.
Gomez and Van Dijk
Gomez’s success with Van Dijk is not new. Last season, in 11 games together at the heart of Liverpool’s defence, the pair formed a solid partnership, keeping eight clean sheets, with only four goals being conceded. Their run was ended after Gomez broke his leg away to Burnley, resulting in a long spell on the sidelines.
During that period, Matip established himself as a reliable partner for Van Dijk as Liverpool pushed Man City all the way in the title race. He was a key figure to the Reds’ phenomenal start to this season before picking up a knee injury in the 1-0 victory at Sheffield United in October.
As a result of the impressive form of Matip, Gomez has had to wait for his chance, slotting in as right-back cover for Trent Alexander-Arnold and occasionally featuring in cup competitions.
Klopp on Gomez and Van Dijk Partnership
“We spoke a lot,” Klopp told reporters when discussing his options in defence. “Last year, at the start of the season, the partnership was Joe and Virgil and they did exceptionally well. In one of these games, he played at right full back at Burnley and got that bad injury, which took him out for a while. And in a very good team, which we obviously are, the train doesn’t wait. That means other players showed up, and I don’t think anybody thought really we should put Joël on the bench.
“It is just that the boys are incredibly talented. The boy [Gomez] is still young. That is not the reason [he has not played]. It’s just that you keep rhythm and you keep players together. But these two, Joe and Virg, they like each other a lot. And they can play sensationally well together.”
Goal-Saving Block in Watford Win
Gomez showed exactly why he is rated so highly by many of those around him in the 2-0 win over Watford. His goal-saving block to deny Gerard Deulofeu after Abdoulaye Doucoure had fluffed his lines with the score still 0-0 was crucial, while he came out on top in the one-on-one duel with pacy winger Ismaïla Sarr. In addition, Gomez made the most clearances (4) and joint-most tackles (3) and interceptions (2) of any Liverpool player on the pitch.
The versatility of Gomez is a useful trait, especially given the lack of cover for Alexander-Arnold due to Nathaniel Clyne‘s injury problems, but it would not be unwise to think that he is slightly wasted at right-back. As well as his imposing physical stature, Gomez possesses an impressive reading of the game. All complemented by his admirable speed and combative tackling ability.
Looking Ahead
Liverpool’s phenomenal run of 25 wins from their previous 26 Premier League games has been about their defence as much as their attack. While the superb attacking trio of Mohammed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino provide an irresistible goal threat, the tireless midfield work of Fabinho, Jordan Henderson and Georginio Wijnaldum and the rock-solid performances of Van Dijk, Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson have provided the club with the perfect spine and platform to seal their first Premier League title.
Of course, the title is not quite over yet. Furthermore, Liverpool face fixture congestion of four games in 12 days in all competitions towards the end of the month before tricky matches against Tottenham, Manchester United and Wolves in January. It is a run that will fully stretch the depth of Liverpool’s squad as Leicester and Manchester City look to pounce on any mistakes.
Yet Klopp’s men are showing no signs of slowing down. With Gomez now filling in nicely at centre-back, the most convincing displays could well be still to come.
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