Steve McManaman says Liverpool have a ‘superstar’ player who’s really underrated

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Steve McManaman says Liverpool have a ‘superstar’ in their squad and nobody even realises it.

The Reds have one of the most impressive group of players in world football. Boasting renowned figures like Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool aren’t short of a famous face or two.

But according to McManaman’s interview with the Liverpool ECHO today, Jurgen Klopp actually has an ‘underrated’ player who’s just as important: Joe Gomez.

“I think he is a quiet lad, who has had terrible injuries in the past. Because he is not screaming out of magazines, doing photoshoots and being prolific on social media, he is underrated,” explained the pundit.

“The modern-day footballer seems to be everywhere. Joe goes about his business in the right way all the time and is an exceptional professional. He has played right-back, left-back and centre-back. When Jurgen wants him to play right-back to move into midfield, he does it even though he is not as comfortable with that as Trent.

“He gets on with the game and I think he is a superstar. There are times where he might have a bad game, like anyone else.”

Gomez the ‘superstar’ hailed

This is a fair analysis from McManaman, who has gone to town on his praise for Gomez this morning.

In the same interview, the 51-year-old says that the Liverpool defender is akin to Real Madrid pair Lucas Vazquez and Nacho Fernandez.

And, to be honest, we’re absolutely with Macca on this one.

Gomez hasn’t always had the easiest time of it over his eight-and-a-half years as a Liverpool player. Terrible injuries have been spliced in with dreadful form that has seen him relegated to fourth-choice centre-back.

But amidst all of that, there is also the tale of an incredibly resilient footballer who has bounced back time and time again.

This season has perhaps seen Gomez in his best form since the title-winning 2019/20 season. With Joe playing regularly – and playing well – across a number of positions this year, it has been a wonderful redemption story.

The 26-year-old will never get the headlines that a Salah or a Van Dijk are used to, but you get the impression that that’s absolutely fine by Gomez. Instead, he gets his head down and gets on with his work.

With an opportunity now presenting itself at left-back, Joe has a chance to get a run in the team. The way he’s started, McManaman won’t be the only one singing his praises very soon. Top work, Joe.