{"id":538399,"date":"2019-12-17T11:02:10","date_gmt":"2019-12-17T16:02:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonfootball.com\/?p=538399"},"modified":"2019-12-17T11:02:10","modified_gmt":"2019-12-17T16:02:10","slug":"joe-gomez-helps-liverpool-overcome-defensive-injuries","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2019\/12\/17\/joe-gomez-helps-liverpool-overcome-defensive-injuries\/","title":{"rendered":"Joe Gomez Helps Liverpool Overcome Defensive Injuries"},"content":{"rendered":"

Given how relentless Liverpool<\/a> have been this season, many would have forgiven the likes of Leicester City<\/a> and Manchester City<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n

Joe Gomez<\/a> Helps Liverpool Overcome Defensive Injuries<\/h2>\n

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<\/a> and Dejan Lovren<\/a> on the sidelines, Jurgen Klopp’s men could well get even better.<\/p>\n

That is largely due to the impressive Joe Gomez.\u00a0\u00a0Liverpool 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.<\/p>\n

Gomez and Van Dijk<\/h3>\n

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<\/a>, resulting in a long spell on the sidelines.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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<\/a> and occasionally featuring in cup competitions.<\/p>\n

Klopp on Gomez and Van Dijk Partnership<\/h3>\n

\u201cWe spoke a lot,” Klopp told<\/a> 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\u2019t wait. That means other players showed up, and I don\u2019t think anybody thought really we should put Jo\u00ebl on the bench.<\/p>\n

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Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n