Joe Gomez prepared to fight

After an impressive display from the heart of Liverpool’s defence against West Ham United last weekend, Joe Gomez is prepared to fight to keep his position in Jurgen Klopp’s starting XI.

With injuries to Ragnar Klavan, Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip, it allowed the Englishman an opportunity to start in a position many see as his future going forward.

Gomez believes he has to treat every game as his last if he wants to keep hold of his position.

“Probably within the team it’s going to be that way a lot of the time this year. There’s a lot of strength in depth and everyone knows rotation is possible at any point in time,” Gomez told Liverpoolfc.com when asked if it is his spot to lose after a solid performance.

“You have to treat each game like it’s your last – because there’s always going to be someone working hard and ready to slot back in. It’s healthy and good, it’s part of being at a club like this.

“It can only give us more strength this year; there were times last season where we struggled and had to adapt quite a bit in a positional sense. That’s how we’ve all got to see it and I’ve got to see it like that as well.”

READ: Ragnar Klavan closing in on move to Italy 

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – AUGUST 12: Marko Arnautovic of West Ham United controls the ball under pressure from Joe Gomez of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and West Ham United at Anfield on August 12, 2018 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

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Gomez has predominantly played at full-back during his time at Liverpool, but he always saw himself as a centre-back going into the future.

“It’s somewhere I want to develop going forward. It was nice to get a positive result as well. I enjoy it. I know I can continue to learn and develop, and hopefully get more time there going forward,” said Gomez.

“I got some decent exposure there in pre-season so that helped me in terms of transitioning back in there.

“Playing at full-back gives you insight into what you want your centre-half to do, position-wise. I wouldn’t say I totally switched off from it but pre-season did help in terms of bedding back in and getting used to it.

“I know which ball the full-back doesn’t want sometimes! You can give them a square pass and it’s not the best to deal with. It does help.

“And obviously we all communicate with one another and that makes it easier. We have played quite a few games. I know Trent [Alexander-Arnold] well and we all know each other well, what each other’s strengths are. You can use that to your advantage.”

Gomez went on to say that playing with Virgil van Dijk played a huge part in why he settled into the game so quickly.

“He is very chilled – but assertive. He is obviously a dominant presence, everyone can see that,” said Gomez.

“It’s nice to play alongside him and we get along well, on the pitch we communicate. And it helps – it’s one of the key things.

“Hopefully I can continue to learn and progress and he is obviously a good role model, by watching and trying to soak up everything. He is obviously a top, top player.”

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Source: anfieldhq.com