After enduring a disastrous season due to injury, Joe Gomez looks set to return to action with Liverpool and take the Premier League by storm once again. His former school football coach Gary Taylor believes Jurgen Klopp is the perfect player to nurture the 19-year-old, and has tipped him for success with both Liverpool and England, as reported exclusively by the Daily Star.
As a teenager, not much was expected of Gomez when he first arrived at Liverpool under Brendan Rodgers. He soon showed his quality though, battling his way into the team and becoming first-choice left-back under the Northern Irish manager.
He looked likely to keep improving under Klopp, but a cruciate ligament injury saw him sidelined for a painfully lengthy spell. He’s been tipped to bounce back though, with Gary Taylor and his former PE teacher insisting he’s destined for big things.
“Klopp seems the perfect coach for him,” Taylor said.
“He’s a former defender himself and appears willing to give youth a chance which should benefit Joe.
“It’s been a fairly meteoric rise but we’re all very optimistic at Forest Hill.
“I think he can go all the way to being a regular England international. He has progressed through the age groups and has met every challenge head on. I see no reason why he shouldn’t continue developing and progressing.
“His mindset, his determination, his commitment will help him no ends along the way. We have every desire and optimism that he will become a star at the top.”
It’s hard to disagree with him, as before Gomez’s injury he was one of the brightest young talents around. We’ve seen at Tottenham with Dele Alli how quickly a young player can rise through the ranks nowadays, and Gomez certainly looks capable of enjoying the same meteoric rise.
His old PE teacher definitely agrees, and tipped him to bounce back from his injury woes this season.
“Joe was outstanding in terms of attitude and his application to football,” said his former PE teacher Kris Hollidge.
“It was a shame about his knee injury as he was beginning to show he had what it takes to succeed at Liverpool.
“I’ve got no question that he will bounce back. He’s a very resilient kid and the work that he’s done in terms of rehabilitation and the work he did in the gym at school before stepping up to that level, he’s just so dedicated. He’s now getting the just desserts for the work he’s put in.”
It’s unlikely that Gomez will be anywhere near the same level when he first returns, but hopefully he gets back to his best soon. He’s a fantastic talent and is destined for greatness, which Klopp may be able to bring out in him.
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It’s unclear whether Klopp sees him as a full-back or a central defender, but we’ll probably find out in pre-season.