‘I’m not resisting as much!’ – Liverpool defender Joe Gomez reveals he is willing to play as a full-back, after changing his mind over Jurgen Klopp’s idea

AHEAD OF TIME? Gomez established himself as one of the top young defenders in the Premier League early in Jurgen Klopp’s tenure, even shining on their Champions League and Premier League winning teams.

However, Gomez has fallen in the Anfield hierarchy since sustaining a serious injury in November 2020, with Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate taking over as the team’s starting defensive tandem.

Gomez acknowledges that he has come around to the concept of playing as a full-back, even though his ideal position would be to play center-half on a regular basis.

WHAT IT SAYS: “I mean, I’m probably getting to an age now where I’m not resisting as much,” he said to Sky Sports [via The Mirror].

Embracing the role I play is probably more significant to me than anything else.

Where I play, if I had to write it on paper, I would probably still write center-back.

However, as time passes, your appreciation for the game and its learning grows.”

“I also appreciate that role, so I try to be energetic there.

It presents various obstacles, and I relish the test.

When I was younger, I suppose I may have resisted it more and had a different perspective on it when I played there.

Growing older has meant accepting and appreciating The Challenge.

THE BIGGER PICTURE: Gomez, who first signed with the Reds in 2015, was strongly linked with a move last year before agreeing to a new, long-term deal in the summer.

When Liverpool play Brentford in the Premier League on Sunday, he is likely to be involved in the clash.

WHAT NEXT? Liverpool will now face Brentford on Sunday, November 12 as they look to keep up with leaders Manchester City.

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Liverpool could equal historic statistic with victory over Brentford

Liverpool will attempt to match a club-winning record when they face Brentford at Anfield in the upcoming Premier League clash.

Jurgen Klopp’s team has lost their last two games and only managed a point against Luton Town in the Premier League, despite a header from Luis Diaz in injury time.

 

Additionally, they lost 3-2 to Toulouse in the Europa League, spoiling their undefeated record in Europe and casting doubt on their chances of qualifying for the round of 16 early.

 

Liverpool has established their home form at Anfield this season, so their recent lackluster performances may become less consequential this weekend.

 

Liverpool has scored at least twice in each of its first eight home games of the 2023–24 season, which include two in the Europa League, one in the EFL Cup, and five in the Premier League. They have a 100% success rate.

It would only be the second time in the team’s history that Klopp’s squad wins nine straight home games while scoring multiple goals in each of them if they can defeat Brentford in a manner similar to this.

 

Bob Paisley’s club, which won nine successive Anfield games by two goals or more over a five-month span from May 1980 to October 1980, is the only other Liverpool team to accomplish this accomplishment.

 

In addition to beating Aston Villa 4-1, they also triumphed over Middlesbrough, Bradford City, Swindon Town, Norwich City, West Bromwich Albion, Crystal Palace, and Oulu Palloseura, a Finnish team.

Their most significant victory during this period was a 10-1 thrashing of Oulu Palloseura in the European Cup.

 

The streak came to an end with a 1-1 draw against Ipswich Town, and despite the hot streak, Paisley’s team finished fifth in the 1980/81 First Division.