‘Phenomenal’ Liverpool player could now have an unexpected chance to become a regular starter – RTK View

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Not much good news can come from Liverpool’s seemingly continuous stream of early-season injuries.

But one man who may stand to reap the benefits is Liverpool’s new number 2, Joe Gomez.

Two weeks ago, the centre-back was heading into another season as fourth choice centre-back at Liverpool. After Ibrahima Konate injured himself in the final pre-season friendly, he was upgraded to third-choice.

Now, The Athletic are reporting that Joel Matip could also be out injured. If those reports are proven accurate, then Gomez may now stand to regain his place in the Liverpool back-line.

Patient Gomez could finally get his moment

Obviously, Gomez re-introduction to the side would be in less than ideal circumstances. But how many times has the England man lost his place over injuries?

After playing a huge part in the title win of 2019/20, Gomez headed into the following season as the first choice partner for Virgil Van Dijk.

If not for the season-wrecking injury he sustained in November 2020, perhaps he would never have given up that spot.

Now, with both Konate and Matip on the side-lines, he has the chance to stake his claim again. Gomez must make sure that he grasps it with both hands.

Although he’s nominally the fourth choice option for Jurgen Klopp, there isn’t much between spots two and four. Konate and Matip have been jostling for the shirt over the last six months, with both edging ahead at different times.

Gomez is arguably at the same level as both of them. Should he be able to put together a good run in the team, there’s no reason he can’t hang onto the spot next to Van Dijk. Klopp certainly thinks so, the Liverpool boss told liverpoolfc.com last month that his player is in ‘phenomenal’ shape.

In that respect, it could be a really big few weeks for the 25-year-old. He signed a new contract in the summer and obviously sees himself at Liverpool in the long-term.

It’s unlikely that part of the plan is to sit around on the bench forever more. If he has designs on becoming a fixture in the side once more, then now is the time to do it.

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