Garth Crooks heaped praise on Liverpool defender Joe Gomez for his performance during the 1-0 win over Huddersfield Town on Saturday.
The BBC pundit shared that the 21-year-old played a major part in the Reds’ winning goal against the Terriers as it was his pass to Xherdan Shaqiri which effectively unlocked his opponents ‘gates’.
Crooks then added that after Gomez submitted another outstanding display, his Match of the Day colleagues, Alan Shearer did reference the player’s latest outing, were finally beginning to notice the defender for his performances this season.
“Everybody was talking about the ball from Xherdan Shaqiri to Mohamed Salah which provided Liverpool with their winning goal at Huddersfield, but not me,” wrote Crooks when naming his Team of the Week for BBC Sport.
“It was the ball from Gomez to Shaqiri that unlocked Huddersfield’s gates and let the Reds in the back door.
“It was yet another outstanding performance from Gomez. I also notice that my colleagues on Match of the Day are beginning to notice this lad’s performances.
“And not before time – I’ve been singing his praises every week since the start of the season.”
OPINION
Crooks seems to be a little smug that he has been singing Gomez’s praises before his colleagues on Match of the Day, but Liverpool fans won’t care which pundits are complimenting their defender, as long as someone is. The 21-year-old centre-back, who can also play right-back, has been in fantastic form all season and deserves to have his performances drooled over. Gomez has shone whether it be in the centre of defence or out on the right-flank and long may it continue. The 21-year-old seems to be getting better with every passing game and can play an important part in helping Jurgen Klopp win silverware at Anfield this season. While Gomez’s more attacking teammates, Mohamed Salah for example, may end up with the headlines when it is all said and done, fans will realise the part the defender played if trophies do arrive in the near future. Gomez may have been a regular part of the Reds’ first-team last season ahead of getting injured, he made 31 appearances, but this season he has raised his game.
