Liverpool centre-back Joe Gomez was certainly not the only defender who struggled in the 4-3 win against Leeds on Saturday but his performances in recent months have dipped alarmingly.
The England international had developed a formidable partnership with Virgil van Dijk but the Reds have begun to ship goals recently and many supporters on Twitter think the 23-year-old should be replaced by Joel Matip for the game against Chelsea:
Gomez needs to earn his spot back.
— Adwen (@Adwenooo) September 12, 2020
Gomez has been horrendous since lockdown
— Adam ? | #BLM (@wannaberobbo) September 12, 2020
I think it’s time to bring in matip , more experience
— freflow (@fre_flow) September 12, 2020
Gomez needs a spell on the bench, let Matip come in
— Connor ??????? (@Manes_hairline) September 12, 2020
matips the better defender, i’d prefer gomez to start more often since he’s younger but for a game like chelsea it has to be matip
— Benjamin (@_BenjaminLfc) September 13, 2020
Unfortunately whether it’s Joe or Joel, they are our weakest link in our strongest 11. But looking at last few years, Matip edges slightly assuming both are fully fir
— CY-Red (@cyred19) September 13, 2020
It is time for Gomez to go back to the bench
— Fantastee84 (@fantastee84) September 13, 2020
Matip is tenfold a player Joe Gomez is
— Bohemian (@Hillary41006279) September 13, 2020
Gomez has looked pretty shaky since the restart but the departure of Dejan Lovren means that manager Jurgen Klopp will have to utilise him even more often. When Matip is fit and available, there’s no doubt that he can challenge for a place in the starting eleven, but the 29-year-old’s poor injury record means he cannot be relied upon.
Considering the woeful defensive display at the weekend, you would hope that the club’s recruitment department are looking at signing another centre-half before the transfer window closes next month.
