It is fair to say that Liverpool defender Joe Gomez struggled for form at the start of the season. Manager Jurgen Klopp started him in the first two games of the campaign but he was quickly dropped following some disappointing displays.
However, the injuries to Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip have given the 22-year-old another chance, and he has taken the opportunity with both hands. The Gomez – van Dijk partnership has now yielded five clean sheets in its last seven games.
Supporters have been praising Gomez, in particular, for his impact on the team’s improved defensive record:
Man is a monster once again!
Rocky start of the season with a poor preseason outing. Glad he put the work in to match his outlook of the game with his physical attributes. Not to mention his run in with the snake and being boo'd by your fellow countrymen. pic.twitter.com/RQNITGbZ7C— Jürgen Meister?? (@SS_LFC) December 30, 2019
Beast mode activated✊?
— Mazwe@LFC.com? (@mazwe10) December 30, 2019
He was a beast??
— Daan (@daan13374859) December 30, 2019
He is back in form. #LFC
— Abhishek Krishnan (@SociallySober) December 30, 2019
Nearly been MOTM the last 4 games for me. Looks a very capable CB compared to RB where he is average at best. Big fan of Matip the last year too but surely Gomez has the greater potential long term? Still has 4/5 years until he peaks.
— Abdul Fatah Jama???❤️??❤️? (@AbdulFatahUNWA) December 30, 2019
Been better than van dijk over the last 2 games
— RamboA12 (@RizAhmed98) December 30, 2019
Been our best player since he’s been back in the team!
— Jordan Dennehy (@UlioJordio) December 30, 2019
Back to his absolute best !
— Mick Emers (@EmersMick) December 30, 2019
Van dijk who ?
— ▫️ ? ▫️ (@_mikant_) December 30, 2019
Back to his old self, been excellent since coming back in. Strong mentality to sit out for so long and wait for the chance to come back in ????
— martin stocker⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@stocksy66) December 30, 2019
Klopp will have a big decision to make when the likes of Matip and Lovren return to action over the coming weeks. Matip, in particular, was in the form of his life prior to his knee problem but Gomez is certainly making a case for himself to stay in the side.
It is a headache that the Liverpool manager will be glad to have again, considering the injury problems that the Reds have suffered from in recent months.
