Joe Gomez insists he will ‘take up the challenge’ of being deployed as a full-back by Jurgen Klopp this season… but the Liverpool defender admits centre-back is still his preferred position
- Joe Gomez says he is embracing playing as a full-back for Liverpool this season
- The 26-year-old added that he previously had reservations about the role
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Joe Gomez has insisted he is ready to ’embrace the challenge’ of playing at full-back for Liverpool this season.
After joining the Reds from Charlton as a teenager, Gomez earned a reputation as one of the brightest young defensive talents in Europe.
A series of injuries during the club’s Champions League-winning season in 2018/19 saw Gomez form a strong partnership with Virgil Van Dijk in his preferred position at the heart of the side’s defence, but his own setbacks have limited Gomez’s playing time. seriously hampered in recent years. .
However, this season the 26-year-old has played a consistent role at full-back, featuring in all but one of Liverpool’s Premier League games.
Despite previously having reservations about the role, Gomez attributed his newfound appreciation for the position to his maturity and experience in the game.
Joe Gomez revealed he is embracing the challenge of playing as a full-back
Jurgen Klopp has regularly used Gomez as a right-back for Liverpool this season
The 26-year-old admitted he resisted the move during his early years at Anfield
“I think it’s probably more important for me to try whatever position I play.” Gomes told it Air sports.
‘If I wrote on paper where I play, I would probably still write center back. But over time, the appreciation for the game and learning from it grows.”
‘Trying to be dynamic and enjoy that position is something I like too. It brings different challenges and I enjoy that test.
“I think when I was younger I was probably more resistant to it and had a different view of it when I played there. As I get older, I embrace it and appreciate the challenge.”
While his recent run of games represents something of a new challenge for the England international, he already has significant experience in the role.
After breaking into the first team at Charlton, Gomez was regularly deployed at wing-back by then Addicks boss Guy Luzon.
Gomez also saw consistent playing time in the role during his breakthrough season at Anfield under Jürgen Klopp in 2017/18, making the majority of his 31 appearances in all competitions that season from the right side of defence.