Special spectator gives Joe Gomez extra motivation for Crystal Palace game

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Joe Gomez is set to play under the watchful eye of Gareth Southgate in Liverpool’s meeting with Crystal Palace on Monday night.

The England manager is expected to be in attendance at Selhurst Park as he considers his options for September’s Uefa Nations League clash with Spain at Wembley.

Gomez had been in contention to earn a place in England’s World Cup squad earlier this year, only to see his chances scuppered by a cruel injury blow.

Southgate is an avid admirer of the Liverpool man for his ability to play out from the back, which proved a key aspect of his defensive set-up in Russia.

The 21-year-old is likely to retain his starting position beside Virgil van Dijk this week on the back of an impressive performance against West Ham.

Gomez, Trent Alexander-Arnold and young Palace full-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka will be the players of interest for Southgate, reports the Telegraph’s Dominic Fifield.

Joe Gomez – Image by Liverpoolfc.com

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Gomez finds himself with a long-awaited opportunity to hold down a place at centre-back on Merseyside thanks to injuries to Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip.

Having predominantly featured at right-back last season, the former Charlton prospect is finally set to begin his shift into a central role and is viewed as a potential long-term partner for Van Dijk.

His experience in a wider defensive role for Liverpool evidently helped him impress as part of a back three for England prior to his injury against the Netherlands back in March.

With Southgate expected to keep his faith in the system, Gomez’s composure stepping out of defence with the ball and athleticism on the cover is sure to put him in good stead to earn a call-up.

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