Joe Gomez insists he’s ’embracing the challenge’ of being deployed as a full-back by Jurgen Klopp this season… but the Liverpool defender admits centre-back is still his preferred position

• Joe Gomez says he’s embracing playing at full-back for Liverpool this season
• 26-year-old added that he previously maintained reservations about the role
• What is the WORST Premier League hat-trick? – Find out on It’s All Coming Up

Joe Gomez has insisted that he is ready to ’embrace the challenge’ of being deployed at full-back for Liverpool this season.

After joining the Reds from boyhood side Charlton as a teenager, Gomez earned a reputation as one of the brightest young defensive talents in Europe.

An array of injuries during the club’s Champions League-winning season in 2018-19 saw Gomez form a strong partnership with Virgil Van Dijk in his preferred position in the heart of the side’s defence but his own setbacks have severely hampered Gomez’s playing time in recent years.

This season however, the 26-year-old has enjoyed a consistent run in the side as a full-back, appearing in all but one of Liverpool’s Premier League fixtures.

Despite previously having reservations about the role, Gomez attributed his newfound appreciation for the position to his maturity and experience in the game.

Joe Gomez revealed he is embracing the challenge of playing as a full-back

Jurgen Klopp has regularly deployed Gomez at right-back for Liverpool this season

The 26-year-old admitted he resisted the move during his early years at Anfield

Your browser does not support iframes.

‘I think trying to embrace whatever position I play is probably more important for me.’ Gomez told Sky Sports.

‘If I was to write on paper where I play, I would probably still write centre-back. But with time, you grow in appreciation for the game and just learning it.’

‘Trying to be dynamic and enjoy that position is something I enjoy as well. It brings different challenges and I enjoy that test. 

‘I think when I was younger I probably did resist it more and have a different outlook towards it when I played there. As I’ve got older it’s embracing it and appreciating the challenge.’

Though his recent run of games represents something of a new challenge for the 11-cap England international, he does have significant prior experience in the role. 

After first breaking into the first team at Charlton, Gomez was regularly deployed as a full-back by then-Addicks boss Guy Luzon.

Gomez also saw consistent playing time in the role during his breakout season at Anfield under Jurgen Klopp in 2017-18, making the majority of his 31 appearances in all competitions that season from the right side of defence.

IT’S ALL KICKING OFF! 

It’s All Kicking Off is an exciting new podcast from Mail Sport that promises a different take on Premier League football, launching with a preview show today and every week this season.

It is available on MailOnline, Mail+, YouTube , Apple Music and Spotify

Your browser does not support iframes.

Source: Read Full Article