The Liverpool man that will be key for club and country over the next 12 months

Looking at the Liverpool team, it is only natural to be in awe of the attacking talent at manager Jurgen Klopp’s disposal.

Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah have put in blistering performances for the Reds this season, firing the Merseyside club into the Premier League top four and the Champions League quarter-finals.

However, the furore and constant focus on the Liverpool attacking trident has perhaps taken some of the focus away from other important members of Klopp’s squad.

One man that has the ability to be a real star for club and country over the next three months is Joe Gomez.

The versatile defender has had an up-and-down time of it since moving to Anfield from Charlton Athletic in 2015, but the signs are there that the 20-year-old has what it takes to excel at the elite level.

Gomez has overcome a debilitating cruciate ligament injury that kept him on the sidelines for more than a year – and has bounced back stronger.

The young defender has the potential to be a critical player in Klopp’s Liverpool side, both during the remainder of the 2017-18 campaign and moving on to next season.

While the Reds have no shortage of attacking talent, it has been a propensity to concede soft goals and a perceived susceptible defence that has stopped the club winning silverware under the German manager.

However, Gomez will surely play a role in solidifying a rearguard that has looked sturdier while he has been on the pitch.

Having impressed at England age-grade level, the youngster has made the step up from the under-21 set-up to the senior squad, with every chance the Catford-born defender will be included in Gareth Southgate’s contingent for this summer’s World Cup in Russia.

The Three Lions boss looks likely to start with three centre-halves in a 3-4-2-1 system during the tournament and has urged his side to get the ball down and play out from the back.

While Gomez initially impressed for Liverpool at full-back, the 20-year-old’s natural position is at the heart of his side’s defence.

In the future, despite the ability to play on one of the flanks, the defender will surely operate for the Reds as a centre-half.

With England facing a shortage of in-form and trusted central defenders in the current squad, the stage is seemingly set for Gomez to win a place in the starting XI for the World Cup.

Watch this space – Gomez has maturity beyond his shallow years and all the physical elements to excel for both club and country over the next 12 months.

 

Written by Gareth McKnight

Follow Gareth on Twitter @90MinsOnline

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