When James Milner left Anfield in the summer, Liverpool weren’t just losing a dressing room leader. The 37-year-old filled many holes in Jurgen Klopp’s squad throughout his eight seasons in Merseyside. He needed to be replaced, and the reliable Joe Gomez has shown his versatility in this campaign to become a key player for The Reds again.
Last Word on Football looks at how Gomez has revived his career at Anfield and should be considered for a place in the Euro 2024 squad for England this summer.
How The Reliable Joe Gomez Became Liverpool’s Utility Man
Gomez Needed To Reinvent Himself To Secure His Anfield Future
After a difficult few seasons, Gomez needed to show those at Liverpool that he could still be a key squad member. The versatile defender had struggled to recapture the form that helped The Reds win the Premier League in 2019/20. His poor performance can be blamed – on a serious knee injury he picked up on international duty in November 2020.
Gomez made just ten Premier League starts during the 2020/21 and 2021/22 seasons as he fell behind Joel Matip in the pecking order. The signing of Ibrahima Konate in the summer of 2021 reduced the 26-year-old’s playing time even further, and he had to settle for the rare start when Trent Alexander-Arnold was injured.
The lack of game time prevented Gomez from finding his top form following his injury. The former Charlton Athletic defender didn’t start five games in a row until August 2022. It was clear during these games that the 26-year-old had lost his confidence.
He was dropped after a dismal performance in a 4-1 defeat to Napoli and didn’t start again in the league for another two months. The 26-year-old was firmly out of favour at the end of last season, starting just two of Liverpool’s last 11 league games.
Injuries Presented Opportunities
Following an injury-free summer and preseason, Gomez was given a chance to regain his confidence when Virgil Van Dijk was sent off against Newcastle United, and Alexander-Arnold was injured against Aston Villa. The 26-year impressed, reminding fans why he was rated so highly before his injury troubles.
The Europa League has also given Gomez another chance to regain his confidence and form. His starts in the group stage allowed the versatile defender to keep his match sharpness for when Liverpool were hit with another injury.
When left-backs Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimkas picked up injuries at the same time, Gomez stepped up to ensure Liverpool could keep competing in all four competitions. He played fantastically in The Reds’ game against Arsenal at Anfield, marking Bukayo Saka out of the match.
Gomez continued to shine at left-back until Robertson and Tsimkas returned. An end to one injury crisis marked the start of another when Liverpool had just four senior midfielders fit following a trip to Brentford. This led to the 26-year-old earning his reputation as The Reds’ new utility man when he played in defensive midfield against Southampton and Nottingham Forest.
The versatile defender has reestablished himself as a vital player at Anfield by filling in admirably whenever asked. His reinvention may earn him some international recognition.
Gomez Deserves an England Chance
Gomez’s resurgence has led to him being linked with an England call-up. With Luke Shaw and Kieran Trippier struggling with injuries, the 26-year-old should be in contention for a place in the Three Lions squad for March’s internationals.
The versatile defender offers something different with his ability to play right-back, centre-back, and left-back. Gomez’s skillset means he is suited as a centre-back in a back three, a formation Southgate has chosen in previous tournaments.
The 26-year-old’s last international appearance came against Wales in October 2020, so it would be sensible for Southgate to look at the versatile defender before he selects his Euro 2024 squad later this year. Gomez has had to be patient following his serious knee injury and looks ready for the international stage again.
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