Liverpool: This is the back four we want to see against Arsenal
By David Gate
Right Back: Joe Gomez
I’m not sure there is a Liverpool fan who wants to see Joe Gomez at center back more than me. That looks like his long-term position, making use of height, speed and strength. He is confident and decisive; essential ingredients of elite center halves.
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It is easy to get impatient wanting him in the middle. But the way I am thinking about it now is to compare it to Jamie Carragher’s slow introduction to the position. It was clear from early on in Carra’s career that he was a center back but he played right back, left back and even defensive midfield before he got a regular role in the center.
Carragher made his Liverpool debut in 1997 but it wasn’t until Rafa Benitez’s first season in 2004/2005 that he got to play in the middle regularly. I’m hoping it won’t be another 5 or 6 years before Gomez gets play at center back but the slow approach can work.
If a young defender makes a mistake at full back there is a good chance that one of the center backs can cover for them. If they make a mistake in the middle, there is only the goalkeeper to bail them out.
I think we will see (a lot) more of Gomez at center half when Nathaniel Clyne returns from injury. Until then I think Jurgen Klopp will stick with Gomez at right back in the big games. He started against them in August and was the best defender on the pitch. I think he repeats that on Friday.