Liverpool

Liverpool

Premier League • England

Man Utd thumping unsettles Liverpool star, as role under Klopp ‘confirmed’

Liverpool players and manager watch on during their 3-0 victory over Norwich August 2021

Liverpool defender Joe Gomez has become frustrated after the win over Manchester United made clear his role under Jurgen Klopp, a report has claimed.

The 24-year-old has endured a mixed career at Anfield since signing from Charlton in 2015. While he has enjoyed successful spells in the team, he has also had to sit out through injury.

What’s more, those absences have mostly proved long-term, including ankle and knee problems. Indeed, he sat out the majority of the last campaign.

Gomez may be back to full fitness now, but he is again struggling for game time. Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip have made themselves the first-choice centre-back pairing in the Premier League.

However, 90min reports that Gomez learned at Old Trafford on Sunday that he now ranks as fourth-choice behind Ibrahima Konate.

That is because summer signing Konate came in to replace Matip as the Reds won a historic game 5-0. The report adds that Gomez had his role under Klopp ‘confirmed’ by the turn of events.

The England international subsequently fears for his role with England if the situation carries on.

In fact, 90min adds that Gomez is becoming ‘increasingly concerned’ and ‘agitated’. He reportedly believes he is England’s best option in central defence. He was with Gareth Southgate’s squad when he suffered his knee injury last season.

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Gomez wants his place back in the team ahead of the 2022 World Cup. However, the situation has changed.

Harry Maguire and John Stones remain England’s senior centre-back pairing when in a back four. Wolves’ Conor Coady is now a regular squad member and Southgate likes his leadership skills.

What’s more, Ben White has impressed at the heart of Arsenal’s defence, where he is a nailed-on starter. Fikayo Tomori and Tyrone Mings, meanwhile, made up the most recent squad of defenders.

Klopp defends Liverpool’s Gomez

Joe Gomez Liverpool September 2021

Speaking after October’s international break, Klopp slammed Southgate for not including Gomez in his squad.

Asked what Gomez has to do to get more minutes at Liverpool, the manager said: “Nothing special, he’s in a top shape. I know that Gareth from time to time reacts that if a player’s not playing regularly at his club then he’s not playing for his national team.

“Obviously there’s a special rule for Mr Stones, but Joe didn’t get called up. Stuff like this would have helped him to have some games.”

Gomez could get a start on Wednesday when Liverpool travel to Preston in the Carabao Cup.


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