Joe Gomez should be starting ahead of Dejan Lovren at the heart of Liverpool’s defence, according to Paul Robinson.
The 57 cap Croatian international has been Jurgen Klopp’s preferred partner for Virgil Van Dijk in the absence of the injured Joel Matip, but ex-England stopper Robinson has been less than impressed with the decision.
Speaking to Football Insider, he said: “I was pleased to see him get minutes but I was very disappointed to see Lovren had been selected ahead of him in recent weeks.
“As a centre-half those games are difficult because the teams are mixed up so much, you’re playing in defensive partnerships and on the pitch with players that you might not regularly play with.
“He was guilty of ball-watching at times but I think he needs more minutes and I would start him ahead of Lovren every week.”
OPINION
It’s hard not to feel sorry for Gomez in all of this. The youngster looked nailed on to be Virgil Van Dijk’s long term partner this time last year, while his form for the Reds had also earned him a place in Gareth Southgate’s England setup. That devastating leg break against Burnley has massively disrupted his progress, however, and while he definitely still has a future at Anfield, it feels as if he has been put back a fair distance. In terms of the here and now though, Lovren is edging him in pretty much every department. He has more tackles, clearances, and interceptions per match this season, as well as a higher Whoscored rating. You can understand Robinson’s grievance, and a lot of fans might even empathise with them, but at this present moment, Lovren deserves his spot, at leats until Matip returns.
