‘Credit to him’… Bukayo Saka says 26-year-old defender was brilliant for Liverpool tonight

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Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka has credited Joe Gomez for a good display for Liverpool tonight.

Gomez was brought into the game as a first-half substitute. With Kostas Tsimikas having to head off with a broken collar-bone, the 26-year-old was needed at left-back.

Up against the mercurial Saka, it looked like a potentially tough ask for Gomez. But the England international stood up well and kept the Arsenal man quiet.

As a result, Saka was asked by Sky Sports after the game if he found it difficult facing up against a right-footed left-back.

“Do you know what, I don’t really think too much about that, whether they’re right or left-footed,” said the 22-year-old.

“Obviously it’s more difficult when I see Virgil van Dijk coming across and I can see him. Credit to Liverpool for how they defended against me today, and credit to Joe as well, he got the better of me sometimes and he played quite well.”

Gomez ready for left-back run

With Tsimikas now set to be missing for some time, Gomez needs to get used to this.

Andy Robertson isn’t due back for another month or so, and there’s plenty of game-time between now and then. As a result, Gomez will be expected to line-up for the foreseeable future.

If tonight was an audition for that, then Liverpool are going to be absolutely fine.

He wasn’t always perfect against Saka. But with his old pal Van Dijk by his side, Gomez kept things tight and had a really fine game.

The defender could even have scored. Playing on the opposite side means that Gomez has the chance to run onto efforts with his natural right-foot.

Had his curled effort flown inside David Raya’s post instead of inching past it, the roof would have come off of Anfield.

It has to be said as well, that Gomez has stood up incredibly well all season long. This time last year there would have been some worry about him stepping in to the starting XI. But Joe has turned things around.

Whether at right-back or centre-back, Liverpool’s No.2 has been excellent in 2023/24. It’s unfortunate for Tsimikas, but Gomez deserves his chance for a run in the side. Saka knows it, too.