Liverpool’s present longest-serving participant loved extra minutes than ever earlier than in 2023/24, carving out a brand new position because the utility man for Jurgen Klopp.
Joe Gomez will nonetheless let you know that his most popular place is on the coronary heart of the Reds’ defence, however the emergence of Jarell Quansah and accidents on each flanks meant he was predominantly deployed as a full-back all through the marketing campaign.
His personal profession has been hampered by a collection of unlucky health setbacks, so it feels considerably apt that he was capable of turn out to be the beneficiary of comparable misfortune amongst his colleagues this time round.
It was a season wherein his dedication to the trigger was rewarded with all the pieces however that elusive first skilled purpose, and one the place he proved how a lot of a useful asset he nonetheless is to this crew.
Joe Gomez, 2023/24
Began: 31 (All competitions)On in its place: 20Unused sub: 3Goals: 0Assists: 3Overall Season Score: 8.0
Versatility with out grievance
Gomez admitted as not too long ago as November that he feels his skill-set stays finest suited to working as a centre-back, having struck up a formidable partnership with skipper Virgil van Dijk through the title-winning season of 2019/20.
Because the marketing campaign wore on, it turned increasingly obvious that the supervisor had different concepts, that includes there in simply 5 of his 51 appearances throughout all competitions.
Liverpool’s No. 2 even made a few appearances as a defensive midfielder as we headed in the direction of the house straight, an indication of the immense belief Klopp has been prepared to put in his means to do a job wherever required.
It may not have been his most popular route again into the facet, however his stints in varied spots noticed him scare the purpose on an nearly weekly foundation, and sparked debate round when he’ll lastly finish his wait to get on the scoresheet.
Whereas an undesirable byproduct of that has been the insufferable cries of ‘SHOOT’ from the stands when selecting the ball up within the opposition half, it enabled him to precise himself in new-found methods.
A bounce-back season
Wherever Gomez was requested to play, there was little to fault so far as his contribution to the facet was involved.
He constantly switched positions with the minimal of fuss and at all times exuded calmness, even when others round him had been responsible of shedding their heads.
There’s a discernible distinction between the position of a left-back and a right-back at the most effective of instances, much more so for the Reds through the closing season of Klopp’s reign.
When requested to fill in for Trent Alexander-Arnold, Gomez created his personal interpretation of the inverted right-back place that has been taken up by the vice-skipper for almost all of the final 12 months.
Likewise, the person who labored his method again into the England fold earlier this 12 months coped admirably with filling the sneakers of one of many membership’s greatest-ever left-backs in Andy Robertson, this time within the extra conventional sense.
His affect was maybe finest demonstrated when he changed Wataru Endo at half-time away to Crystal Palace.
He offered defensive solidity that allowed Alexander-Arnold to maneuver into midfield, with each serving to to encourage an necessary late turnaround at Selhurst Park.
However what is going to Slot do with him?
Had Klopp opted to see out the ultimate two years of his contract at Anfield, Gomez could have resigned himself to being tied to the touchlines for the foreseeable.
However as issues stand, there are not any scarcity of variables throughout the pitch as we stay up for Arne Slot‘s Liverpool.
The 26-year-old’s position has fluctuated drastically since making his debut as a fresh-faced teenager below Brendan Rodgers all the best way again in August 2015.
There have been no scarcity of comprehensible requires defensive reinforcement this time final 12 months, with Joel Matip‘s impending departure and Ibrahima Konate‘s health report doing little to alleviate these considerations 12 months on.
The place that would go away Gomez stays undetermined, however the perspective he confirmed, at instances, attempting circumstances throughout 2023/24 proves he nonetheless has greater than sufficient abdomen for the struggle.
Not since 2012 has a Liverpool supervisor had the posh of a full summer time and pre-season upon arrival, so we are able to count on loads of recent and funky concepts throughout the board as we enter this thrilling new period of the soccer membership.
You’d need to go even additional again to the departure of the nice Bob Paisley to seek out the final time we’ve recognized about such a situation forward of the shut of the season.
It’d really feel like a frightening prospect for a person who has switched positions as typically as Gomez has within the final 12 months, however the actual fact that he featured extra instances in 2023/24 than in any earlier marketing campaign is an efficient platform to construct from.
The seemingly infinite debate about Alexander-Arnold’s place is coming into its eighth summer time, all whereas query marks linger over the health data of Gomez’s fellow centre-backs.
Who is aware of, Arne is likely to be the one to lastly get a purpose out of him. I’m drooling on the prospect of that celebration simply picturing it.
Greatest second: Pocketing Bukayo Saka twice within the area of two weeks over Christmas in opposition to Arsenal.
Worst second: A poor show within the humiliating 3-0 defeat at residence to Atalanta, however he wasn’t alone.
Function subsequent season: Slot could look to utilise his versatility, however Gomez will little question be eager to nail down an everyday spot in a single place having already entered his peak years.
