Liverpool are flying high at present, having established a healthy lead at the top of the Premier League table and also shining in the Champions League.
Arne Slot has hit the ground running since taking the Liverpool reins from Jurgen Klopp in the summer.
Virtually every Reds player has done superbly for the team, including those who aren’t regular starters.
Speaking ahead of the Premier League game with Newcastle United, Slot was eager to pay tribute to Joe Gomez.
(THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Joe Gomez of Liverpool during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD5 match between Liverpool FC an...
Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
READ MORE: ‘World-class’ player confirms he spoke to Arne Slot about joining Liverpool
Arne Slot hails ‘incredibly fit’ Liverpool defender Joe Gomez
Although Gomez has only made nine appearances this season for Liverpool, with 354 minutes under his belt, he has nonetheless impressed when called upon.
The £95,000-a-week defender gave a great account of himself when he came in for the injured Ibrahima Konate against Brighton earlier this season.
Gomez then did the same against Manchester City as he helped Liverpool run out 2-0 winners over the reigning champions.
Slot, speaking to the Liverpool media team, explained what Gomez has done that has impressed him and that is “more special than people think”.
“I think everybody sees his quality but for exactly the reason you just said, it shows how his mentality is and how impressed I am by his mentality,” said Slot.
“Because it’s not always easy to come in during a game or to replace a player that did so well, and I think Konate did really well.
“And it’s not for the first time he’s experiencing this. Some players can do this for a season and then they’re like, ‘Now I want to play, I want to go somewhere.’
“And Joe is patient in a good way, he always makes sure he is ready whenever the club or his teammates need him, and that is special when it comes to his mentality because not many players can do this for so many years that he has done this.
“But last season he played many, many, many games – I think you could call him a starter that season – and in some other seasons maybe he was more of the second choice in every other position in the last line.
“For him to keep doing this probably tells you a lot about his mentality but also what he does on a daily basis in training sessions and at home to stay as fit as he is, because he’s incredibly fit and ready to perform.
“That is more special than people think it is, that’s definitely true.”
The impressive stats Gomez clocked up against Manchester City
As per Fotmob, Gomez had the most touches of the ball (79) out of any Liverpool player.
He also completed the most passes (67/76) for a success rate of 88 percent – the fifth-highest of any of Slot’s starters on the day.
Gomez also led in terms of ball recoveries (7) and won both of his duels (one in the air, one on the ground).
In addition, Alexis Mac Allister (6) was the only Liverpool player to make more passes into the final third than Gomez (5).
Slot is not the only Liverpool figure to comment on Gomez’s fitness. Cody Gakpo recently said Gomez lifts more in the gym than any other Liverpool player.
Liverpool are next in action on Wednesday night when they take on Newcastle United in their Premier League clash at St James’ Park, scheduled to kick off at 7:30pm GMT.
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