Joe Gomez was getting frustrated at what Jurgen Klopp was asking him to do at Liverpool last season

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One of the small shifts at Liverpool under Arne Slot this season has been a move away from multi-faceted players.

The Dutch coach seemingly has a clear idea on which area of the pitch he wants each member of his team to specialise in.

This is a noticeable change from the ethos Jurgen Klopp tended to instil within the Liverpool squad.

Take Cody Gakpo, for example. The forward played all over the place for Klopp, but Slot has quite clearly told him that he’ll be a left-sided attacker and nothing else.

Another who has seemingly had his role simplified has been Joe Gomez. The defender is known for his versatility across the back line.

However, all three of Gomez’s starts under Slot at Liverpool have been at centre-back. And the 27-year-old appears to be enjoying that fact.

Joe Gomez enjoying centre-back role

Gomez has once again had to be patient for his chance at Liverpool this season. But with Ibrahima Konate now injured for a little while, it has finally arrived.

Slot hailed Gomez’s patience on Tuesday, even going so far as to say that the England international’s mentality was ‘more special than people think.’

Gomez has certainly had to bounce back more than a few times in his Liverpool career so far.

However, it did look as though the former Charlton prospect had turned a corner last season. His 51 appearances were his most ever in nine seasons up to that point.

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Plenty of those came at right and, especially, left-back, though. And according to The Athletic, this was ‘a source of frustration’ for Gomez.

The Liverpool No.2 reportedly wants to play at centre-back but had to watch as Jarell Quansah was given more opportunities. This season, he has wrestled back the shirt.

Arne Slot delighted with Joe Gomez stay

Another interesting little titbit from this report is to do with Gomez almost leaving over the summer.

The defender was heavily linked with moves to both Aston Villa and Newcastle, but ultimately remained on Merseyside.

Interestingly, it is reported that Liverpool never wanted Gomez to leave, though, and Slot is described as being ‘delighted’ at seeing him stay.

With a run of games now set to come his way, the expectation should be that Gomez is about to show why the Liverpool head coach wanted him to stay so badly.

The frustration looks to be over for Joe, and he’s about to show everybody just what a good centre-half he really is.