Stuart Pearce has backed Joe Gomez to become a mainstay at Liverpool next season after recovering from an injury at the back of the last campaign.
The defender suffered a back injury in early December which saw him miss the majority of the second half of the season, and saw Joel Matip take control of the position.
Speaking on Sky Sports News [Thursday, May 13th, 13:05] Pearce backed Gomez to claim back his spot next season, saying: “They’ve got Gomez to come back, who I expect if he’s fully fit to play every game, and him and Van Dijk at the heart of defence would be sensational.”
Pearce went on to add: “And Oxlade Chamberlain, so they’ve got two players to come back into the fold. They might not have to go in the transfer market, I think those two will improve the team drastically.”
The 22-year-old managed to make 16 Premier League appearances this campaign, with only 32% of those games coming in the starting XI under Jurgen Klopp.
Gomez’ injury led to Joel Matip becoming a mainstay at Anfield in the clubs run to Champions League success.
OPINION
There is no doubt that Joe Gomez is held in high esteem at Liverpool by Jurgen Klopp. Pearce is obviously a big fan of the 22-year-old defender, and his claim surrounding Gomez potentially starting every game next season could be far fetched. The young enforcer will need to earn the right to step back into the fold at Anfield, with Joel Matip and Dejan Lovren performing when called upon in his absence. A partnership between both Gomez and Virgil Van Dijk would be a duo that could become unstoppable in the future. Both offer great power and strength in their defensive actions, and both can play forward effectively with the ball at their feet. At only 22-years-old, Gomez has a bright future ahead of him, both with Liverpool and England, after he featured for his country at the recent UEFA Nations League match against Switzerland. Jurgen Klopp will not be worried about his defensive options and with reports suggesting that Lovren could leave the club, a fully fit Gomez returning could mean the German boss will not need to make a move in the market.
