Joe Gomez is set to retain his place at right-back for Liverpool’s big game against Manchester City on Sunday.
The 25-year-old began the Reds match with Rangers in midweek, impressing in Trent Alexander-Arnold’s absence. And according to The Mirror, he’ll start against Man City tomorrow as well.
It will be the first time Gomez has started against City since September 2020. However, the England man did come on for James Milner at right-back in last season’s reverse fixture at Anfield.
Injury permitting, the start will be Gomez’s fifth in the Premier League so far this season. That will take him clear of his tally for the whole of last season, when he started just four games.
A blessing in disguise for Liverpool?
In years gone by, the news that Alexander-Arnold would miss this biggest of games would be greeted with dismay.
Now though, it perhaps could be for the best that the 23-year-old isn’t fit enough to feature. Trent has been really under the microscope recently and against City he would be more scrutinised than ever.
With the likes of Phil Foden to deal with on City’s left side, it would have had the potential to create an unhelpful narrative.
Instead, Gomez feels like a solid option. He doesn’t give you that same cutting edge as Alexander-Arnold, that’s pretty clear.
But as his lovely assist for Roberto Firmino against Rangers showed, he’s no slouch either.
Besides, against the flair of City, Liverpool are unlikely to do quite as much attacking as they usually would. With the two teams in the form that they are, you’d expect the Reds would have to do a fair bit of defending.
Although some of the negativity surrounding Alexander-Arnold has been way over the top, it’s undeniable that Gomez is the more natural defender.
As a result, it might be something of a blessing in disguise that Gomez will be the man with the shirt tomorrow. Either way, it’s a great chance for the No.2 to show why Jurgen Klopp called him ‘phenomenal’ via liverpoolfc.com back in July.
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