How This Liverpool Star Can Win Over Arne Slot During International Break – Opinion | OneFootball

Can Joe Gomez Win Over Arne Slot During This International Break

Last season I was amazed that the 2023/24 campaign started with one player in particular, still amongst the first team Anfield ranks. Following an horrendous injury and subsequent rehabilitation year in the 2022/23 campaign, Joe Gomez appeared to have lost the confidence of just about every Liverpool supporter, following a plethora of disappointing appearances that littered that year.

The horrific injury sustained was a genuine threat to the top-level career of the England international, as that patella tendon rupture stands as perhaps the most difficult ailment to overcome in this sport. The pace and power of the former Charlton man has been the bed rock of his progression from exciting talent, to first team regular.

As a young man that was rapidly approaching the peak of his powers at the outset of the 2020/21 season, the 6ft 2inch was cruelly struck down by an innocuous moment, one that saw him miss 51-games for his beloved reds, before a long and difficult recovery.

Photo: IMAGO

To fast forward to the outset of the stated 2023/24 campaign, it would become the last undertaken of the former manager, Jürgen Klopp, as well as the reemergence for the reds much respected no.2, Gomez. In a term that saw the 15-cap England man regain his place in the international squad, he himself would make an astonishing 51-appearances across all competitions, with 32 of those games coming purely in the Premier League.

That entertaining season saw the versatile man become a pure auxiliary player, maintaining an outstanding level that would be held across multiple positions as stated below.

Right Back – 25 games

Left Back – 19bgames

Centre Back – 5 games

Defensive Midfield – 2 games

When reviewing the above breakdown, it is remarkable to see his on-field presence being utilized so little in his preferred role at central defence. That type of versatility often comes within a sporadic consistently level, however, though the London born footballer was not the standout player of the season (that would be Virgil van Dijk), I suspect he may have been the most reliable and impressive amongst his peers.

I would have preferred to have seen the 27-year-old begin this season as the first choice left back, given his excellent showings in that role last year. The new Liverpool head coach, Arne Slot, clearly prefers a left footed variant in that bespoke role, which is unfortunate for the man who has played 231-games for the Merseyside giants.

Despite falling down the pecking order at the AXA Training Centre, this remains a predicament that the player has fought back from before and can emerge once more as a firm favourite.

Can Gomez Become More Prominent Under Arne Slot?

I believe that superb performances and hard work will eventually create opportunities for deserving footballing assets. This new era has taken away some of the previous affection (created by Slot’s predecessor) that once engulfed the red half of Merseyside, replacing it with a hardened desire to win at all costs. This no-nonsense approach has seen the reds rise to the top of both the Premier League and Champions League tables, with a wonderfully controlled coordination to their game.

Within this ongoing two-week international break, there represents a moment in time for the £45m rated defender, Joe Gomez, to show his worth to his new steward on a one-one basis. With the entirety of the Liverpool back line on international duty, or in Trent Alexander Arnold’s case, injured, this timeframe may well be spent by the tactical coaching group, working closely with the likes of Harvey Elliott, Federico Chiesa, and Joe Gomez, to give them the best opportunity of thriving when the schedule resumes.

Photo: IMAGO

Tactical training and acceptance of the orders given appear vital to success, therefore, this period could offer salvation to those that have the desire to grasp it.

Have We Seen This Before?

In the previous allotment of national games, Curtis Jones was one key player left behind to engineer a successful return in the upcoming block of games. That endeavour proved to be a resounding success, as well an example to those on the fringes of this great team. Liverpool is primed to make a season long assault on all competitions, which will need every member of this illustrious stable to play their part.

Regarding the man that has made just seven appearances this term, Joe Gomez, I hope he is able to proof his undoubted commitment to the cause and take his chance when it comes, as injuries will inevitably see doors open for the forgotten England man, one who still has so much more to offer.