Speaking at his press conference On Tuesday morning, Arne Slot confirmed that Joe Gomez would be back in training this week. In fact, he revealed that the defender was due to train with the first team for the first time since his injury on Tuesday.
This is incredible news. Gomez returning from injury is a huge boost for Liverpool. The kind of boost that could give the team a huge boost for the rest of the season.
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Someone of Gomez’s experience and pedigree is not only an important presence in the dressing room or a useful replacement off the bench, but in this situation he is currently the ideal starter in the right-back role.
Liverpool are desperately missing Szoboszlai in midfield. They need the Hungarian to play his best role and cannot continue to ask him to play at right-back.
Gomez fortunately has plenty of experience at right-back, so even if the game against Sunderland comes a little too early for him, if he can be back for the weekend or even next week it will be a huge boost for Liverpool.
This season, every time he has played there, Gomez has done very well and the Reds have looked better.
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Szoboszlai makes the Reds’ counter-pressing more effective when he plays further forward. Meanwhile, Gomez brings more stability playing at the back thanks to his calmness and excellent reading of the game.
Liverpool will just have to hope they can keep him fit for the rest of the campaign. The club’s entire season could hinge on Gomez’s fitness.
This is not ideal. But the fact that he’s back training with the team is incredible to hear.
