Sebastien Bassong has said Joe Gomez might not have the right skillset to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold in the Liverpool starting XI after the fullback flourished in midfield against Arsenal.
Speaking on the Monday Night Club, the BBC Sport pundit pointed out that the 25-year-old Liverpool centre-back could unbalance the Reds’ backline given his defensive style of play, with Jurgen Klopp’s entire system working at it’s best when both fullbacks are attacking.
Alexander-Arnold started at right-back for Liverpool on Sunday against Arsenal yet was deployed as an inverted fullback to play alongside Fabinho in midfield, with Ibrahima Konate filling in for the England international when the hosts were on the ball.
It was an inspired decision from Klopp and one that led to one of Alexander-Arnold’s best performances of the season so far, which has led to many fans and pundits suggesting that the 24-year-old should start in midfield from the off, though this will leave the right-back position vacant.
And for Bassong, Gomez, Liverpool’s only real alternative, could disrupt the squad based on his centre-back nature, with the pundit saying: “Would you have put Alexander-Arnold back into midfield if you had real competition as a right-back? Because at the moment they don’t have anybody who can come nowhere near him as a right-back.”
“[Gomez] is a solid option but not for the whole season. We are talking about Liverpool. If you forget about this season, Liverpool are a team going forward. The whole indemnity of Liverpool is not to defend. Think of Andy Robertson on the other side, he goes both ways. If you put someone at right-back who is a more defensive one that changes the whole dynamic of the team.”
Gomez qualities could be worth it to see Alexander-Arnold in midfield
Gonez has become something of a scapegoat this season amid what has easily been the 25-year-old’s most frustrating season yet as a Liverpool player. Though whilst the defender might unbalance the squad, seeing Alexander-Arnold back in midfield could be worth it.
As we know, Liverpool have a small chance of finishing in the top-four this season, and with this summer set to be Klopp’s biggest overhaul yet, experimenting with the squad in the final few matches could lead to some potential solutions ahead of the new campaign, such as playing Gomez at right-back and Alexander-Arnold in midfield.