The overall performance from Liverpool might have been pathetic, but Joe Gomez can hold his head high after his FA Cup showing.
Liverpool’s ultimate utility man was head and shoulders above his teammates at the back against City on Saturday afternoon. He contained the dangerous Jeremy Doku, finding far more success against the Belgian than the other Liverpool right-backs who have had the task this season.
He wasn’t faultless — no Liverpool player was — but he at least looked like the occasion hadn’t got to his head. It’s a performance that should be taken as a clear sign that his time at Anfield is not yet over.
Who was Liverpool’s worst player during the abysmal defeat against Man City?
Some PATHETIC displays 😡
Manchester City v Liverpool - Emirates FA Cup Quarter Final
Photo by Shaun Brooks – CameraSport via Getty Images
Joe Gomez was excellent for Liverpool vs Man City
Gomez was tasked with containing Doku, who has often done damage against Liverpool. Despite the result, he had a great game.
Rated by FotMob as Liverpool’s best player in the first half, Gomez basically didn’t put a foot wrong. On the opposite side, Doku was City’s worst, completing no dribbles and creating zero chances in 62 minutes on the pitch.
He won most of his duels and was an important presence until coming off at the same time as the City wide man.
With Jeremie Frimpong’s injury blow over the break, we needed Gomez to step in and step up. Unlike some of his Liverpool teammates, he did exactly that.
Manchester City v Liverpool - Emirates FA Cup Quarter Final
Photo by Mark Cosgrove/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images
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Liverpool can’t afford to lose Joe Gomez
There will be plenty of movement at Anfield this summer. Mo Salah is leaving Liverpool, and there is uncertainty about the futures of Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate. Their contracts are up.
If they both leave, or if one goes, it leaves Liverpool too short in the defensive department to be sanctioning sales.
That’s the first reason why keeping Gomez — who has a year left on his deal — is the right decision.
The second reason was on display against City. Having a player who can play multiple positions is invaluable, especially with a smaller squad. The 28-year-old has long been a player valued for his ability to cover.
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The errors are beginning to pile up…
Manchester City v Liverpool - Emirates FA Cup Quarter Final
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Jurgen Klopp said (via This Is Anfield) after Liverpool’s 2024 Carabao Cup win: “He is a lifesaver, to be honest, that he was here, that he could play.
“People forget how important Joey was in the best years we had. I don’t know how many games he played in the year when we became champions and how many games he played when we won the Champions League – a lot and rightly so because he’s a top-class player.”
Two years later, Gomez can still provide reliable minutes for Arne Slot. Letting him leave would be a huge mistake.
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