Martin Keown heaped praise on Liverpool defender Joe Gomez following his performance during the Reds’ 2-1 win over Leicester City on Saturday.
The BBC pundit raved about the 21-year-old defender’s abilities but in particular highlighted Gomez’s cool-headedness even when being put under pressure.
Keown stated that he has rarely seen a defender look so unflustered when on the ball and suggested that the centre-back is calmness personified with his latest remarks.
“Oh he is a real talent Gary and today he was better than Van Dijk and that’s some compliment too” said Keown on BBC One’s Match of the Day repeat (Sunday September 2nd, 8:51am).
“A real talent, his mobility, the way he floats across the pitch and of course you’ve got to be able to pass the ball now, got be able to punch ball into the front three and yes he can do that.
“He has the technique, he has the vision and has everything in his game.
“He just floats effortlessly across the ground, Gareth Southgate must be licking the lips over working with him now as he is a real talent, immense talent, pace is everything, but he is calm in possession.
“It is this pace that he has that allows him to go there and stop his opponent but if you put him under pressure, rarely have I seen a defender look so unflustered, just calmness.”
OPINION
Keown has once again waxed lyrical about Gomez as he seems to be making it a regular occurrence to heap praise on the defender. The BBC pundit appeared to be blown away by the defender’s performance against The Foxes as he rattled off several qualities that the defender had in his locker which no doubt would have flattered Gomez. The Reds centre-back has earned Keown’s praise this season as it is hard to fault his displays. The 21-year-old has played every minute of the Reds’ first fixtures of the season and has made himself look like the best choice to partner Virgil van Dijk in the heart of the Jurgen Klopp’s defence for the rest of the season. Many would have doubted Gomez’s ability to excel at centre-back upon him starting his side’s Premier League opener as he had been a fair while since he had been deployed in that position. However the 21-year-old has shown no signs of struggling at centre-back as of yet and if anything it’s clear to see it’s his best performance.
