OPINION
Small things can make the difference in Premier League title races, but so can massive ones, too, such as the return to fitness of a key player.
That is the situation facing Liverpool now. The Evening Standard reported on Saturday that centre back Joe Gomez is nearing a return to first-team football after sitting out over three months with a broken leg.
Prior to picking up the injury, of course, Gomez was playing like one of the finest centre halves in Europe. He had established an incredible partnership with Virgil van Dijk and was also serving as a right back at times as well.
His versatility has been missed, but mostly it’s been his unbelievable quality. He truly is a top class defender and he has all the attributes to have a long and successful career.
A serious injury for a young man like Gomez is obviously a worry, particularly given his propensity for picking up knocks throughout his time on Merseyside. However, his return could end up giving the Reds the edge in their Premier League title fight with champions Manchester City.
Indeed, it would be no surprise to see their tilt go into overdrive, with their indomitable back four reestablished having struggled somewhat of late.
Joel Matip has done a good job in Gomez’s absence, but the Cameroonian cannot be compared to the former Charlton Athletic man. Gomez is simply on another level.
As mentioned, the return of a player as good as Gomez could prove to be the difference in this most closely contested of title races.
