Despite Liverpool’s defensive vulnerabilities, Joe Gomez remains sidelined whilst injuries rise, and goals continue to be conceded.
Conor Bradley and Florian Wirtz were the latest additions to the Reds’ growing injury list, with the Northern Irishman out of action for at least three-weeks.
Liverpool’s lack of defensive stability has become increasingly apparent, as they have managed to keep only three clean sheets in the Premier League all season.
Yet, despite the defensive crisis, Gomez continues to watch from the bench, waiting for the chance to claim a return to Arne Slot’s starting XI.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Jamie Carragher said: “Liverpool need to spend in January, they need to buy a centre-back, they should have bought a centre-back in the summer.”
Carragher talked about the issues his former side faces but didn’t recognise Gomez as a potential solution.
With the backline constantly shifting, the decision to overlook Gomez highlights Slot’s preferences within his squad. However, the 28-year-old has played 112 games at centre-back, 31 at left-back and 90 at right-back, showing his versatility across the backline. Combined with his Premier League experience, this should all make him an obvious solution to the current challenges.
For the second time this season both Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong have been out injured, but Gomez wasn’t called up the first time around, and minutes have been hard to come by.
An opportunity this weekend against Nottingham Forest could present itself as both natural right-backs are unavailable.
Gomez’s fight for regular minutes has been particularly difficult this season, even when Ibrahima Konate and Milos Kerkez have been out of form.
Despite this, his lack of minutes during his 10-year-spell at the club has been an ongoing theme.
His uneven minutes at Liverpool haven’t been solely down to managerial choice or squad preference; injuries have repeatedly disrupted the Londoner’s rhythm.
He has battled a series of injuries, including ankle surgery, achilles and patellar tendon problems and a cruciate ligament tear.
Setbacks have repeatedly disrupted Gomez’s growth, preventing him from establishing consistency and his injury record has weighed heavily on his transfer market price tag.
Whilst he is the club’s current longest serving player and a fan favourite, the England defender may feel like his pathway to regular football is narrowing.
With his contract expiring at the end of June 2027, is it time for Gomez to look elsewhere?
