Liverpool defender Joe Gomez addressed his costly choice to feature against Stoke City and West Bromwich Albion last season in an interview with Goal.
The 21-year-old, whose current deal sees him earn £30,000-a-week at Anfield (Source: Total Sportek), picked up a knock while on England duty (Source: Goal) but returned earlier than expected to feature against the Potters and the Baggies.
Following the game against Stoke Gomez had to see a specialist who deemed that he needed surgery, as reported by Goal, and the young defender spoke out about his decision to return for the Reds when he did.
“It wasn’t the wisest decision, looking back,” Gomez told Goal when interviewed at Liverpool’s training ground.
“I played those two games, and it was too much, I knew against Stoke that I wasn’t having my best game, but at the same time you don’t want to let yourself and the people around you down.
“We had a few other injuries that day so I knew that if I went off it’d use up a substitution which we might need.
“And also, psychologically, I don’t see myself as a weak-minded person. So, even though things weren’t going great on the pitch, I wouldn’t want it to look like I’m making excuses and hiding.
“It’s something to learn from. Would I do it again? It depends!”
OPINION
Gomez has the right character needed to succeed at Anfield if this interview is anything to go by as the 21-year-old defender shares his desire to excel in the game. The 21-year-old took a huge risk to return so quickly from the injury he picked up with England and ultimately paid the price as he missed the last few games of the Reds’ 2017/18 campaign. While Gomez shared that he learnt from the decision it seems that he would ponder making the same costly choice again if the situation arose. This is likely a result of him willing to put his body on the line for the Reds in order to help his side’s cause so it’s hard to judge him for being so honest about his point of view on the matter. The enforcer, who can play as a centre-back or a right-back, has a bright future at Anfield but faces tough competition for a first-team place next season. The rise of Trent Alexander-Arnold in his absence means he’s not guaranteed to get a look in at right-back whereas Dejan Lovren and Virgil van Dijk are likely to keep him from regularly featuring as a centre-back.
