Arne Slot has acknowledged Joe Gomez‘s role at Liverpool is “not easy,” but singled out the defender for his ability to perform in circumstances many others couldn’t.
Gomez made his first Premier League start in 11 months on Sunday against West Ham, taking up duties at right-back and producing an outstanding display.
The 28-year-old had a hand in both goals – his long throw kicking off the move for Alexander Isak‘s opener before an assist for Cody Gakpo to make it 2-0 – and helped keep a first clean sheet in four games.
That it came after just 238 minutes in all competitions prior to that victory in east London made Gomez’s impact all the more impressive.
“It’s a skillset he has,” Slot told reporters on Tuesday.
“After a long time not playing you can play him again and he just performs as he did before that.
“That’s something that’s not easy, because I’ve worked with more than a few players that, after a certain amount of time without playing, it’s difficult to get to a certain standard again.
“So it’s definitely one of his skillsets.”
Has Joe Gomez worked his way into Arne Slot’s plans?
LONDON, ENGLAND - Sunday, November 30, 2025: Liverpool's Joe Gomez during the FA Premier League match between West Ham United FC and Liverpool FC at the London Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Before the trip to West Ham, Slot appeared to give little encouragement to Gomez, Wataru Endo and Federico Chiesa when it came to a place in the starting lineup.
The head coach simply said that “they train with us every single day and they can prove themselves in those moments,” but with few sessions on the training pitch that seemed futile.
However Gomez’s performance at the London Stadium seems to have proved again that he is capable of not only holding his own in the Liverpool defence, but be influential in doing so.
In Tuesday’s press conference, Slot hinted that the No. 2 could keep his place in the side along with Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak.
With Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong yet to return and Dominik Szoboszlai clearly more valuable further forward, the Dutchman could consider Gomez for involvement against both Sunderland and Leeds this week.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Friday, August 15, 2025: Liverpool's Joe Gomez during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and AFC Bournemouth at Anfield. Liverpool won 4-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“I think they’re not able to play three times 90 minutes, that’s for sure,” Slot explained.
“And now I have to wait and see how they feel today, if they are able to play tomorrow from the start again.
“But that all three of them can be involved in all three games – if they don’t get an injury – that’s a fair assumption to make.”
That is quite the turnaround from Gomez playing less than an hour of football across the Premier League and Champions League before his start at West Ham.