Liverpool defender Joe Gomez has received some poor reviews for his display in last night’s friendly against RB Salzburg.
Gomez played the first hour in Austria, and was caught out of position for the only goal of the game. This morning, the Liverpool player has been criticised for a disappointing performance.
The Daily Mail claimed that the 25-year-old ‘struggled’ against teenager Benjamin Sesko, who was Salzburg’s match-winner on the night.
Meanwhile, the Liverpool Echo said Gomez showed ‘signs of rustiness’ as he ‘gifted’ the Austrian Champions two chances. Liverpool.com also stuck the boot in, claiming that the defender ‘lost his bearings’ to allow Sesko to score.
Gomez still with work to do
It’s hard to argue against the fact that Gomez looked way below-par against Salzburg last night.
The England international never seemed fully settled up against the raw pace and power of young Sesko. To be fair, Ibrahima Konate also struggled to hit his usual heights, but he did put in one or two important challenges.
Unfortunately for Gomez, it wasn’t the kind of performance that suggests he’s ready to take back a starting berth for Liverpool.
The number 12 has been given opportunities this pre-season, but doesn’t currently look like the best option.
That’s in stark contrast to his displays in training. On the practice pitch, Gomez has looked in peak shape ahead of the new season. Fresh from signing a new contract, the hope is that he can now stay injury free and regain some rhythm.
Disjointed displays such as the one last night aren’t going to help, though. When you’ve got competition for places like Liverpool do at centre-back, any slight wobble is going to set you back.
Jurgen Klopp knows better than to judge Gomez from one performance – he’s been his manager for the last seven years after all. But on this viewing, the Londoner still has some way to go to be considered the first-choice partner for Virgil Van Dijk.