Joe Gomez is in line to be rewarded with another England opportunity following his fine start to the new Premier League season.
The 21-year-old has started both of Liverpool’s opening two games in his preferred centre-back position alongside the formidable Virgil van Dijk.
He has been granted a long-awaited chance to vie for an extended run in the team courtesy of injuries to both Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip.
Gomez featured predominantly at right-back last season as he and Trent Alexander-Arnold shared the workload in the absence of Nathaniel Clyne.
He subsequently earned a maiden call-up to the England senior setup and had been in contention to make Gareth Southgate’s World Cup squad.
Those hopes were cruelly crushed when Gomez hobbled off injured in March’s 1-0 friendly win over the Netherlands, in which he had started as part of a central defensive trio.
Fast-forward five months and Gomez is now expected to be recalled by Southgate for September’s UEFA Nations League game against Spain, according to the Mirror’s John Cross.
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Southgate is known to be an avid admirer of the former Charlton prospect, evidently for his compatibility with the Three Lions boss’ use of a back three.
Wins over West Ham and Crystal Palace to begin the season have entailed immediate reminders of Gomez’s ball-playing expertise and ability to step up from the back.
Monday night’s visit to Selhurst Park proved a more helpful insight into his defensive development as he prowled to a dominant display against a talented Palace attack.
Besides looking comfortable against the hosts’ aerial threat, Gomez also drew on his experience as a full-back with a confidence to leave his position and pursue the ball out wide when required.
One incident also saw him flaunt his athleticism when he matched the pace of Wilfried Zaha to produce a sliding tackle just as the Palace talisman looked to be through on goal.
He has every chance of becoming an England regular for years to come.