Virgil van Dijk shares what he really thinks about Joe Gomez after failed Liverpool departure in the summer

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The summer transfer window turned out to be a quiet one for Liverpool, at least in terms of incomings.

Federico Chiesa was the only player who walked through the door at Anfield as Arne Slot opted to stick to his guns and trust the squad he inherited from Jurgen Klopp.

In terms of outgoings, however, the Reds were quite busy, as the likes of Sepp van den Berg and Fabio Carvalho were moved on, among others.

Joe Gomez was linked with a move to Newcastle United but it never materialised as the England international stayed put at Anfield.

And Virgil van Dijk has heaped praise on the versatile defender for his conduct on and off the pitch.

Virgil van Dijk says Joe Gomez is an ‘example’ to Liverpool squad

Liverpool wanted to sign Anthony Gordon from Newcastle and Gomez was set to go in the opposite direction in a separate deal.

However, neither of the two players secured transfers, with Gordon even putting pen to paper on a long-term contract at St James’ Park.

Gomez didn’t get too much game time at the start of the season as Ibrahima Konate and Van Dijk started most of the games at the heart of the backline.

However, after the Frenchman’s injury, he’s found regular minutes in recent weeks, with his best performance coming in the 2-0 win against Manchester City.

Van Dijk feels Gomez conducted himself with a lot of dignity and class when he found himself away from the team, adding that he’s an example to the rest of the squad.

“Obviously I know him very well and it is definitely not easy when you are not playing each and every week,” said Van Dijk via Daily Mail.

“But the way he has conducted himself on and off the pitch is an example to so many players – not only young players.

“It is not easy to do it, he has so much quality and he can play right across the back line. We know each other inside and out. He is needed now.”

Gomez’s stats this season

Slot said Gomez is ‘more special’ than people think after he returned to the starting XI last month.

He has partnered Van Dijk at the back in recent weeks and is set to keep his place in the team until Konate returns as he aims to grab his opportunity with both hands.

Gomez has been a top pro since joining the club in 2015 and is set to enter his tenth year as a Liverpool player.

It remains to be seen what the future holds for him but his form in the festive run-in could well determine Liverpool’s fortunes in the Premier League title race.

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