After Jurgen Klopp confirmed the bad news ahead of the Watford game, there must have been an air of doubt creeping in about whether things were just starting to unravel slightly. With Joel Matip already side-lined with an injury, the last thing Liverpool needed was for Dejan Lovren to be side-lined too.
But after the Croatian was forced off in the clash against RB Salzburg, it was revealed he had suffered a muscle problem, with the Reds boss declaring that it was “more serious than last time”.
That meant only Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez are currently fully fit and available as centre-back options. But in a truly immense display against Watford on Saturday lunchtime, the latter showed that perhaps Klopp should not be so worried about his injury crisis in defence. As per Sofascore, the England international’s 7.7 match rating was only bettered by teammate Mohamed Salah, and when looking at the under-lying numbers, it is easy to see why.
The 22-year-old made three tackles, completed four clearances, made two tackles and won 12 total duels too; it was a defensive display of the highest order. But not only that, his use of the ball was exceptional as well, registering a game-high 117 touches, and having an 85% pass accuracy. And after watching his performance, Liverpool fans took to Twitter to voice their thoughts on the centre-back.
A few fans were quick to praise Gomez for showing what he is truly capable of in his centre-back role.
And whilst it was Van Dijk who cost the Reds big-money, many supporters of the Merseyside club insisted Gomez outshone his Dutch teammate with his display against Watford.
If he can keep fully-fit for the rest of the season, Gomez gives Klopp a vital solution to his current centre-back misery. And not only that, his versatility in being able to play at right-back gives the Liverpool boss some tactical flexibility too, so for him to enjoy a fine performance on Saturday would have been particularly pleasing.
Meanwhile, FFC’s writers have delivered their verdicts on whether Liverpool will retain the Champions League this season.
