Liverpool still have full belief ‘inconsistent’ player will bounce back, he won’t be so

Liverpool still retain belief in Joe Gomez and aren’t planning to sell the centre-back this summer.

Gomez had a difficult season last time out, labelled as ‘inconsistent’ and even ‘appalling’ by pundits like Darren Bent during 2022/23. Following a raft of serious injuries, there have been real question marks over his Liverpool future.

But according to The Athletic, the Reds themselves harbour no such doubts about the 26-year-old. It’s claimed that belief and confidence in Gomez remains ‘undimmed’ despite his struggles.

Furthermore, they report that Liverpool don’t expect to sell any of their four senior centre-back options this summer. With there also said to be ‘no plans’ to recruit a new right-back, Gomez may still be needed there next season, too.

Good news for Joe, but he must improve markedly after a really tough last few years.

Gomez must repay Klopp faith

It perhaps isn’t a surprise that Liverpool won’t look to sell Gomez this summer. Having signed a new deal 12 months ago, he’s clearly in Jurgen Klopp’s plans. Joel Matip would look the more likely to leave, and the Reds can’t replace them both this year.

However, it now seems as though both will stay on at Anfield, with Matip presumably leaving on a free in 2024.

Whether that’s wise or not will depend on a couple of things. Firstly, Liverpool do still appear to be looking for a new centre-back to add to their squad. Should they bring one in, there’ll be no complaints from Reds fans about these two sticking around.

Secondly, and this is the key point really, Gomez simply has to show better form.

The England international did have a small run of good games last season. For a small patch of matches around October time he was playing in the manner we saw from him three or four years ago. But by and large, Gomez was dreadful.

With his confidence shattered, Liverpool looked vulnerable more or less every time he was on the pitch. Things were a little better at right-back where he proved a good deputy for Trent Alexander-Arnold. But we need to see it more consistently. Another season like the one just gone, and he should be sold next year.

Not every side would retain belief in a player after a number of disappointing years. Klopp isn’t every other coach though, he does tend to stick with his players through rough patches and that should be applauded. That belief and backing has to be repaid eventually, though. Over to you, Joe.

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