Liverpool defender Virgil Van Dijk much prefers to play alongside Joel Matip rather than Joe Gomez.
That’s according to TalkSPORT pundit and former player Micky Gray. Speaking on the radio station earlier today, Gray claimed that Van Dijk is much more ‘comfortable’ with Matip next to him.
“I think he’s [Van Dijk] certainly more comfortable when Matip’s alongside him, no question about that,” he said.
Gray also suggested that Van Dijk’s form may be suffering due to a glut of changes in defence from one game to the next. He also questioned Gomez’s current output.
“You look at the way he’s performed certainly this season, Gomez, he’s in and out the team, and Klopp wants to play him as a right-back. You always want to know who you’re playing alongside,” Gray claimed.
“I don’t think Virgil Van Dijk knows who he’s playing alongside week to week because of the injuries, because Gomez is coming into the backline, because he’s had injuries himself.”
Gomez shoots himself in the foot
If Liverpool fans still had doubts about who is best positioned to partner Van Dijk, then last night should have pretty much answered them.
Unfortunately for him and for Liverpool, Joe Gomez was atrocious against Napoli. The 25-year-old was deservedly subbed off at half-time having endured a personal nightmare in Naples.
The damage had been done by that point, but The Reds still looked far better when Matip came on to replace him.
Yes, the 31-year-old was partly responsible for a shockingly easy goal being conceded at the start of the half. But other than that he stood up well to Napoli’s attacking threat.
With Ibrahima Konate still injured, Matip now has to retain his place as Van Dijk’s partner at the back.
Virgil hasn’t always been perfect when playing with Liverpool’s £140k-a-week man, that’s true. But the two complement each other so well and have repelled some of the best attacks in the game.
If Van Dijk is to regain his best form over the coming weeks, it feels like having Matip next to him could be the key.
Gomez will be back – he and Virgil have had some excellent spells together, too. But for now, the Englishman needs to be taken out of the firing line. It isn’t often a performance is so bad in isolation that it demands a player be dropped. But Joe’s last night was one such occasion.
Receive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox
