Center Back: Joe Gomez
This is the game. This is a matchup that suits Joe Gomez playing at center back. He is likely to be facing a front pairing of Joshua King and either Calum Wilson or Jermain Defoe. These are exactly the kind of attackers that cause Dejan Lovren so many problems.
Gomez has the pace and agility to keep up with the work rate of these forwards. Lovren will vulnerable to their pace on any counter attack or pressurized situation.
Not only does the matchup lend itself to Gomez over Lovren but it won’t be a baptism of fire for the Englishman in the middle. Defoe is not the player he once was and King has not been able to recreate last season’s form and goal threat. Callum Wilson is a hugely underrated player but there is every reason to believe that Gomez is his equal, if not his better.
A strong showing from the England international could see his confidence bubble at the position. What a plus it will be for Liverpool to be going into 2018 with their most talented defender playing in the most crucial defensive position.
Obviously most of us are hoping to sign a center back in January but a solid Gomez/Matip partnership in 2018 would ease the pressure if we can’t get a midseason deal done.