‘Literally got 10 yards’: Fowler blasts Liverpool man for failing to be a ‘Premier League player’

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Robbie Fowler singled out Joe Gomez for criticism after one moment against Nottingham Forest where he failed to be a ‘Premier League’ player.

Joe Gomez has a torrid time against Nottingham Forest as Liverpool lost 1-0. He was also the easiest player to point the finger at after the hosts goal.

The defender conceded a free-kick inside his own half after making a complete mess with possession. Gomez had the ball in space, with time, and with options. He dallied, though, and eventually fouled as he lost the ball. A well-worked routine gave Forest the lead from that free-kick.

Robbie Fowler was far from impressed after the game. He believes any Premier League player should have found a comfortable pass out of that situation.

“He’s [Gomez] got loads of time,” he told Premier League Productions. “He’s got 10 yards of space and all of a sudden it becomes a battle.

“He gives the free-kick away, he gets a yellow card. He has literally got 10 yards of space. Premier League players should be able to find whatever pass they need [in that position].”

Joe Gomez failing costs Liverpool

Now, lots of Liverpool players made terrible decisions in that game that didn’t lead to goals. Gomez was ‘unlucky’ in that regard as his mistake did lead to the goal.

But this isn’t the first time that Gomez has done this. He was caught in possession a few times in the 4-1 defeat in Napoli – it’s a pattern. And not a particularly difficult one to figure out.

Gomez gave the ball away two or three times with passes into midfield in the first half. Forest pressed well in that third and the 25-year-old struggled with it. As a result, he was far too cautious on the ball in the second half.

It was the same against Napoli. Gomez makes some mistakes and then retreats into his shell, unwilling to take risks. In doing so, he takes far more dangerous risks that end up costing the side.

It’s a problem he has to get over if Gomez is to ever fulfil his considerable potential. As Fowler says here, it’s just not good enough at the level he’s playing at.