It’s time Liverpool start games with a natural defender at right back after beating Nottingham Forest 1-0 in dramatic fashion on Sunday.
The Reds did not deserve to win. That much is obvious. Alexis Mac Allister scored twice in the 90th minute with only one of the goals awarded but the game raised a bigger question…
Why is Joe Gomez sitting on the bench?
Arne Slot has started Dominik Szoboszlai at right-back eight times this season out of necessity. Until recently, that is.
Gomez has now been fully fit for two full weeks but hasn’t yet been trusted to start. It might be due to the fact that Slot’s flawed training load approach, but it’s time for the Englishman to be reinstated to the starting lineup.
Joe Gomez praised for long throw-ins after offering Liverpool added dimension against Nottingham Forest
With Liverpool under the cosh, Slot made the right call to throw Gomez into the mix against Forest. The 28-year-old not only gave his team more solidity in transition, but he also gave Liverpool an edge in attack.
Joe Gomez should be starting at RB right now, we cannot force Szoboszlai to play there when at his best is in midfield. pic.twitter.com/LvIByIlpr4
— Samuel (@SamueILFC) February 23, 2026
Speaking after full time, Liverpool legend Phil Thompson told the official Liverpool FC podcast that it was Gomez who changed the trajectory of the game.
“The thing about it with Joe Gomez, one of the big pluses today was the long throws towards the end of the game,” he said. “As we’ve seen against us, very much a weapon.
“I think with Joe, you see Virgil and Ibou going up, so they must have confidence in him to get the ball to that six-yard box. Right or wrong it adds a little bit of pressure and it causes more problems. It’s a weapon that other clubs have used so why shouldn’t we? And Joe brings that.”
Slot must use West Ham and Wolves games to get Gomez back up to speed
Liverpool now have 11 remaining Premier League games to secure a spot in next season’s Champions League. Fabrizio Romano has reported that Slot’s job depends on whether or not he can get his team into Europe’s elite tournament next season.
“For Arne Slot the situation is quite clear,” Romano said on his Here We Go podcast. “Being in the Champions League next season will be absolutely crucial for him. If Liverpool will not be in the Champions League next season, I think this could bring them into an important review in the summer.”
Gomez is crucial to this. Not only is it vital to have a strong defender in the right back role, but it’s even more important that Liverpool have Szoboszlai playing where he is most effective: midfield.
Liverpool face West Ham and Wolves next in the Premier League, and these games offer Slot a chance to get his team’s balance right.