Joe Gomez’s Unlikely Resurgence at Liverpool
There have been plenty of times in recent years when the end of Joe Gomez’s Liverpool career felt inevitable.
The Englishman has suffered horrendous luck with injuries, picking up several serious issues throughout his time at Anfield, and by the time last season came to an end, his stock had arguably never been lower.
There were many, myself included, who would have been happy to see Gomez moved on in the summer transfer window, with some awful performances coming his way in a wretched all-round campaign for the Reds.
The injuries had seemingly caught up with him, despite being fairly young still, and it was hard to see where minutes would come his way, given the quality and depth ahead of him in Jurgen Klopp’s side.
A Season of Redemption
In what has been one of the more pleasing stories of the season, however, Gomez has been fantastic, proving to be a vital figure in another campaign that has been affected by injuries to so many players.
This time, the defender hasn’t been one of those hampered, though, and has instead been an invaluable asset, using his versatility to great effect. If Liverpool go on to win more trophies between now and May, Gomez will have played a massive part in the success.
The 26-year-old has made 39 appearances for the Reds in all competions in 2023/24 to date – a tally that is bettered only by Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo, both of whom have featured 40 times.
Who would have predicted that last summer?
In that time, Gomez has showcased his quality at right-back, centre-back and left-back, shining the most in the latter, having filled in brilliantly for both Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas.
Recognition and Impact
He has looked so much more imposing and confident than the more timid individual on show in recent years, combining pace, physical prowess and underrated technical ability, and he has almost become a cult hero as he searches for his first-ever Liverpool goal.
The “SHOOOTTT” chants need to stop, mind!
Gomez has often been a supporting cast member in a squad littered with leading men down the years, and while that remains largely the case, he has been a far more prominent figure since August, enjoying a real career resurrection.
On Thursday, his excellent form was rewarded with a call-up to the England squad – his first since injuring himself on international duty back in 2020 – and while Liverpool fans have little interest about the Three Lions, it is a great moment for the player himself, and a lovely story.
On this form, Gareth Southgate would be mad not to take Gomez to Euro 2024 this summer, especially considering how versatile he is, and it would be richly deserved.
Klopp is well aware how key his defender has been this season, not to mention being delighted for him after tough spells, saying:
“I couldn’t be happier for Joey. He was, in our most successful years, super, super important, played an incredible amount of games in 19/20, probably 18/19 as well.
“He had some injuries, stuff happened, and he was in and out of the team, always important to us, but I think this season is the most consistent he played, especially because of the different positions.
I think the least games he played on centre-half [in a season] probably because we always needed him somewhere else, and he did exceptionally well. I think it developed his game, massively.”
Priceless Versatility
Without Gomez around, you wonder how Liverpool would have tackled the injuries in defence, and his availability and consistency have both been priceless.
The former Charlton Athletic is one of the good guys, carrying himself with understated class on and off the pitch, and it has been so heartwarming to see him find a gear that many thought couldn’t be found this season.
He promises to be hugely important in the new few months – just imagine if his first Liverpool goal won them the Premier League title!
