lopp hails Joe Gomez for stepping up

“on and off the pitch” without Virgil

van Dijk
 October 31, 2020
 Jack Lusby

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Without Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez has been required to serve as
Liverpool’s leader at centre-back, and Jurgen Klopp has praised the 23-
year-old for showing this quality.
The partnership of Van Dijk and Gomez has been a formidable one for the
Reds in recent years, but the Dutchman was firmly considered the leading
man.

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Gomez typically mopped up behind Liverpool’s No. 4, and excelled in the role
as his counterpart, however with Van Dijk now sidelined for the rest of the
season, it is a new challenge for the ex-Charlton defender.

In the absence of Joel Matip, and now Fabinho, Gomez is the most

experienced senior centre-back at Klopp’s disposal, and has been tasked with
leading Rhys Williams through a tough adjustment period.
Ahead of Saturday’s clash with West Ham, which is likely to see Williams start
alongside Gomez, the manager praised his No. 12 for “showing his best
qualities on and off the pitch.”
“Joe in particular has had to step up in recent weeks and he has grasped it in
such an impressive manner,” Klopp wrote in the official matchday programme.

“Joe is young in years but has a wealth of experience.

“He knows how important he is to us in general, but in this moment showing

his best qualities on and off the pitch is so valuable.

“I love that he sees what we need from him and that he relishes this
opportunity.
“Sacrificing for the team has never been more critical and in Joe Gomez and
all of our players we have men who embrace it and inspire us all with their
approach.”

In many ways, this could be the making of Gomez, who can go from a
supporting role to establishing himself as a bona fide leader at the back, which
in turn should solidify his partnership with Van Dijk when he returns.

He is, naturally, not the most vocal presence, and more of a retiring character
off the pitch, but alongside the likes of Williams, Nat Phillips and Billy
Koumetio, he is required to take responsibility.
Since the Merseyside derby, Liverpool have been largely strong at the back,
albeit not as stable as when Van Dijk was fit, and Gomez deserves real credit
for his performances.

In the months prior, it was widely acknowledged that he was experiencing a

drop in form, but despite accruing 142 appearances for Liverpool and Charlton
already, it should be noted that he is still a very young player relative to his
position.

If Gomez can continue to step up without Van Dijk, he could truly establish
himself as the elite-level centre-back he has the potential to be.