Gomez - It's time to talk about him as a starting CB

[Frogfish]

Gomez has completed 90 per cent of his passes this season. In the first half of the recent win over Crystal Palace, he could be seen outpacing Wilfried Zaha. According to Premier League tracking data, Gomez has clocked the highest top speed of any Liverpool player this season.

34.29km/h - Joe Gomez registered the highest top speed by any Liverpool player this season during last Monday's 2-0 win over Crystal Palace.

Against Brighton on Saturday, he coped impressively with an aerial bombardment. "Joe has been very good and today was a big test," said Klopp afterwards. "Obviously Brighton thought 'let's pick Joe Gomez for the long ball challenge with [Glenn] Murray' and Joe did really well."
The statistics prove it. Brighton deliberately directed their long balls away from Van Dijk, who had dominated Crystal Palace's Christian Benteke in Liverpool's win at Selhurst Park five days earlier, but Gomez's response was to win more aerial duels than anyone else on the pitch.

Joe Gomez won eight aerial duels against Brighton

No matter what, I'm learning'. Whether he's injured, he's playing at right-back or centre-back, he's always thinking about what he's learning."
It's with that attitude that he has approached his new centre-back partnership with Van Dijk. Gomez has described the Dutchman as a "big brother" figure - "Hopefully I can keep learning from him and keep progressing," he said recently - and the admiration is mutual.

"I was not really worried to be fair," said Van Dijk when asked about Gomez's move to centre-back earlier this season. "I have a very good relationship with him, a very good understanding outside of the pitch as well. That helps and hopefully we can build something."
Three games and three clean sheets later, it certainly seems as though the foundations after coming together. Gomez has had to be patient, but he's central to Liverpool now. Recent evidence suggests he's here to stay.

http://www.skysports.com/football/n...rth-his-own-with-virgil-van-dijk-at-liverpool

 

[juniormember]

I admit I thought he was shit and had no hope, the way he’d misjudged high balls while playing rb.
Complete and utterly wrong it seems, and it looks like he can become a fantastic centre back. Very pleased I was wrong.

 

[Frogfish]

I admit I thought he was shit and had no hope, the way he’d misjudged high balls while playing rb.
Complete and utterly wrong it seems, and it looks like he can become a fantastic centre back. Very pleased I was wrong.

The heading issue is interesting - read the full Sky article. It seems at Charlton he was reticent to head and preferred to control it and play his way out. They had to force / encourage him to use his head. He seems to be improving in that all the time and it helps having VvD next to you both in training and matches !

 

[Modo]

He's looking especially good because he has a powerhouse playing next to him. Cudos to him for learning and listening but it's far too early to judge him. Let's see how he does with a proper test.

 

[jan]

Poor the Russell Brown

 

[Brizzle]

It's a hard one to make a clear view on as Lovren was a bit of a colossus for large parts of last season but I can see Gomez holding this role with VVD for years and years to come.

 

[manwithnoname]

I commented on his pace being a massive plus after that Crystal Palace game, and there's been no real complaints so far; he's been impressive, and actually outperformed Virgil against Brighton.

The very best CB partnerships are about individuals who complement one another, and so far this has genuine promise.

But as already been stated, it's only three games. He's quick, tall, can pass and seems to be improving in the air, but I can't really make any definitive judgements just yet, other than to say Lovren and Matip will have a job to get back into the team and haven't been missed so far.

 

[Silver Sean]

I admit I thought he was shit and had no hope, the way he’d misjudged high balls while playing rb.
Complete and utterly wrong it seems, and it looks like he can become a fantastic centre back. Very pleased I was wrong.

This.

 

[mark1975]

I admit too that I was starting to get fucked off with his lack of progress and even regression, after last seasons poor displays at right back and getting constantly exposed by diving in early and misjudging high balls. He seems to be alot more aware of his position in the centre though and has looked a different player. I hope he stays in there, stays fit and keeps up this form, because Matip and Lovren aren't the answer.

 

[Silver Sean]

Er. He already is a starting CB.

 

[Kay Age El]

I heart Gomez. Always have, ever since I watched him for England's U21 at least where he looked a real talent. Really have high hopes for him.

 

[ibromurph]

I've always felt he was underrated on here.

He's England U21 Captain, and has been captain throughout many of his age groups which speaks well for his composure and leadership.

He always looks like a man playing against boys at that level. It's good to see him finally making a step up and showing his ability. Hopefully this good form, turns into class and he keeps a similar level throughout the season. The first big test will be after the international break where he will have to deal with Kane. A striker who has bullied Lovren over the last few games.

 

[Molbystwin]

I understand that Lovren is often deservedly disliked but after chrimbo last year he was a very very good center back.

I’m happy that Gomez is looking like putting him down to third pick.

 

[the count]

Have some people formed a negative opinion of him from his poor performance at right back at the end of last season whe he was playing with an injury?

 

[jan]

More than happy with Gomez & Lovren battling it out for that 2nd CB spot, especially as it means (injuries aside) Matip won't see much game time this season

 

[SummerOnions]

If he keeps injury free he's gonna be boss

 

[gkmacca]

One of the best things Brendan Rodgers did, buying him. And we got him at a really good age to progress. He deserves to grow into this role in this team.

 

[LeTallecWiz]

One of the best things Brendan Rodgers did, buying him. And we got him at a really good age to progress. He deserves to grow into this role in this team.

 

[Oncy]

One of the best things Brendan Rodgers did, buying him. And we got him at a really good age to progress. He deserves to grow into this role in this team.

He was pretty good in the transfer market wasnt he.
Lovren
Gomez
Moreno
Milner
Sturridge
Coutinho
Firmino
Can
Clyne
Lallana
All rodgers signings. Then if you think how well Aspas, Alberto did after leaving he had a fairly solid track record, the odd Balotelli aside.

 

[LeTallecWiz]

He was pretty good in the transfer market wasnt he.
Lovren
Gomez
Milner
Sturridge
Coutinho
Firmino
Can
Clyne
Lallana
All rodgers signings. Then if you think how well Aspas, Alberto did after leaving he had a fairly solid track record, the odd Balotelli & Moreno aside.

One slight adjustment, but in hindsight, some really good players were signed in his short tenure.

 

[rurikbird]

He was pretty good in the transfer market wasnt he.
Lovren
Gomez
Moreno
Milner
Sturridge
Coutinho
Firmino
Can
Clyne
Lallana
All rodgers signings. Then if you think how well Aspas, Alberto did after leaving he had a fairly solid track record, the odd Balotelli aside.

Those were committee signings...

*opens can of worms*

 

[gkmacca]

He was pretty good in the transfer market wasnt he.
Lovren
Gomez
Moreno
Milner
Sturridge
Coutinho
Firmino
Can
Clyne
Lallana
All rodgers signings. Then if you think how well Aspas, Alberto did after leaving he had a fairly solid track record, the odd Balotelli aside.

His absolutely brilliant and enduring legacy, unappreciated though it remains so far, is in bringing in Alex Inglethorpe at the Academy. He looked a clever appointment at the time - he had a fine track record - but he's really gone way beyond expectations. He's like a Steve Heighway for the new century. His commitment, his ability to 'get' the club, his eye for detail and his imagination and ambition - it's tremendous. There was a shot during one of our games this season - Palace? - where the commentator spotted Southgate talking to someone. He had no idea who it was. It was Inglethorpe. He's still pretty much invisible as far as the London media is concerned but my god he's doing a superb job.

 

[RedStar]

Ive been a fan of Gomez since his debut, hes always looked like an exceptional talent to me. Injuries have definitely held him back but at 21 if he can get a season of full fitness behind him we may have a brilliant young defender on our hands.

 

[moron]

He was pretty good in the transfer market wasnt he.
Lovren
Gomez
Moreno
Milner
Sturridge
Coutinho
Firmino
Can
Clyne
Lallana
All rodgers signings. Then if you think how well Aspas, Alberto did after leaving he had a fairly solid track record, the odd Balotelli aside.

On the issue of Gomez - I have never felt comfortable when he has played at left back / right back - but those of you who have been saying for a long time of how good he will be as Central Defender have been spot on - and the first time I noticed it was when he played for England and virtually nullified Neymar and Coutinho on his own for most of that game. He has been brilliant alongside VVD - and any faults attributed to him is a bit harsh - defenders will always have one or two issues during games - its a given. He looks so comfortable in that role - I am not surprised Klopp let Klavan go now. I am hoping that if VVD ever gets injured - he will retain his place with only Matip/Lovren been the supporting defender(s) with Gomez as our main guy now.

With regard to the LB/RB positions - at the moment I only feel comfortable with Robertson - his timing, defensie awareness, and running in the right moments makes him the ideal RB. As a group on this site we are mostly just praising him - I have noticed that has never been a consistent case with either TAA or Gomez - there is always an issue or critical mistake that is highlighted - and if it continues we have to ask is TAA right for his current position ? - I actually think Clyne is better at RB.

@Oncy - you are correct regarding Rodger's signings and I did have hope that Balotelli would come good for us. However, I think the problem with some of his signings is that they were never ready to be first teamers in our league - due to physical weaknesses - take Aspas, Alberto, and even Coutinho initially. Granted two have gone on to do really well in other slower leagues and may have developed into first teamers under Rodgers style of team play. Under Klopp you need skill full players who have a lot of athletic ability and must have the necessary physical strength to cope in this league from the start. I actually think Lallana should be sold - I always get the feeling that the pressing work he has to do makes him prone to injuries.