It could be a big season for Joe Gomez as he looks set to earn the trust of Jurgen Klopp as one of Liverpool’s main centre-back options.
That’s the view of the Liverpool Echo’s James Pearce, who states the club don’t need to be in the market for a new defender this summer.
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Pearce feels LFC look strong with Dejan Lovren and Virgil van Dijk as their first choice centre-back pairing, and that he expects chances for Gomez to show what he can do in the middle as well.
Asked about Lovren and Gomez in a Q&A, Pearce gave this response:
“I’m not surprised he (Klopp) hasn’t brought in another centre-back. Lovren was outstanding in the second half of last season and carried on that form at the World Cup. He will be part of the first choice combination with Van Dijk.
“(Joel) Matip’s injury record is becoming a worry but (Ragnar) Klavan and Gomez still provide decent cover. With Lovren only coming back next week, Gomez has a decent chance of starting against West Ham.
“It’s a big season for the young defender, who has all the attributes required to play centre-back having made most of his appearances for the club at right-back.”
Despite often playing at right-back, the 21-year-old may get most of his opportunities centrally now due to the presence of Nathaniel Clyne and last season’s breakthrough youngster Trent Alexander-Arnold.
It would definitely be great to finally see Gomez make progress this season after an injury-hit time at Anfield and a lack of regular opportunities.
Klopp has shown he trusts his youth, however, so it’s a big show of faith that Gomez is still here and that another new signing at the back looks unlikely at this stage.