Gabby Agbonlahor thinks that the reinstating of the Premier League’s five substitutions rule is good news for Liverpool’s Joe Gomez.
Speaking on TalkSPORT (2mins), the former England striker claimed that the rule change will serve to show off Liverpool’s squad depth.
“Liverpool will have the chance to take off Salah, Firmino, Mane. Even Jota, Henderson, bring on Diaz, Origi, Keita, Chamberlain,” said Agbonlahor. “Imagine the changes they can make.”
The 35-year-old then claimed that ‘even’ Gomez may be given a chance to play. But only if Liverpool are a couple of goals to the good.
“They could even take off a centre half and bring Gomez on for Van Dijk if they’re two or three nil up.”
Sharing the load
It’s hard to see any negatives from a Liverpool point of view to the Premier League’s decision to reintroduce the rule.
For a player like Gomez, it will surely mean more minutes. Obviously it mean more players will be getting on the pitch on a matchday. But it also gives Jurgen Klopp the option to take players off if they have a knock that they might otherwise play through.
As Gomez can potentially be used anywhere across the back four, he could really benefit from the new rule.
This could even be the difference between the 24-year-old staying at Liverpool or leaving this summer. There is never a guarantee of games. But he will surely be in line for much more than the 106 minutes of Premier League football he has seen this season.
Stepping in for Trent
Gomez will reportedly get the chance for more minutes from the start over the next handful of games for Liverpool.
The Athletic reported on Tuesday that the England man is set to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back until the number 66 is fully fit.
That is likely to include Saturday’s game against Watford and the Champions League match with Benfica on Tuesday.
Gomez must show Jurgen Klopp that he can be relied upon when Liverpool are chasing the biggest prizes in this season’s run-in. If he does, he may even be starting next to Virgil Van Dijk by the time the rule change comes into effect.
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