Judi Online - Brendan Rodgers was full of praise for defender Joe Gomez after an assured performance in the 2-1 win over Brisbane Roar.
The 18-year-old centre-back started on the left of Liverpool's
back four at the Suncorp Stadium, but impressed as the Reds came from
1-0 down to beat the A-League side with goals from Adam Lallana and
James Milner.
But despite good performances from the England midfielders, it was Gomez for whom Rodgers reserved special praise.
“He’s
only 18 years of age, but seeing him play at left-back for the first
time, he looked an outstanding athlete and a really good footballer.
"I’ve
seen him at centre-half and at right-back, but I wanted to see him at
left-back – and I thought he was outstanding," added Rodgers.
And after catching his boss' eye, the teenage defender looks to have
secured his place in the first-team picture this season after Rodgers
said he wouldn't loan the former Charlton man out.
“He’s staying.
I’ve seen enough in this period; you judge young players, I always
bring them in and over pre-season have a good idea of whether we’re
going to keep them or not.
“Seeing him, in particular close at hand and his personality – he’ll be staying, he’ll get games."
Bandar Bola - Long-term, Gomez sees himself as a central defender. But while
competition at Anfield is fierce, Rodgers is aware that the youngster is
an option for him in the middle of a back four.
“Gomez has played there a lot of his career,” continued Rodgers.
“We
took him in from Charlton where he played as a centre-half as a two,
played in a back three and he’s also played as a right-back, so he’s got
all the tools to play across the back four. You saw him tonight play at
left-back – he’s a big talent.”
Signed from Charlton, the young defender is certainly one for the
long term. But perhaps he’s got a role to play in the more immediate
future.
At the Valley, he showed his performances, nominally as a
right-back, earned rave reviews. At youth levels, he’s also been used
as a centre-back and in a midfield role too, largely to help him round
his game. Here, with Nathaniel Clyne at right-back, Gomez was offered
the opportunity on the left.
It’s a position which the Reds have
had problems, despite £20million worth of Spanish talent in Jose Enrique
and Alberto Moreno. The former remains thoroughly underwhelming, going
completely off the boil having originally impressed in the Premier
League at Newcastle, while the latter remains a weapon going forward
(thanks to his pace and directness) but raw defensively.
Gomez
has an experienced head on his young shoulders, reads the game well, and
knows when to play and when to be safe. That he isn’t naturally
left-footed may work against him, but neither were the likes of Jamie
Carragher (in his early days) nor Denis Irwin, Philip Lahm, or Bixente
Lizarazu.
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