The defender has experienced the highs and lows of being a Red but admitted that Saturday's Anfield jeers hurt him and his team-mates at the end of what has been a bruising campaign
12:00, 10 May 2026
Joe Gomez
Joe Gomez said the boos from the Anfield crowd have hurt this season
Joe Gomez said the Liverpool dressing room has been hurt by the boos directed at the team from the Anfield crowd this season, but added he can understand supporters’ frustrations.
The defender came on for the latter stages of Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Chelsea, a match that again drew a stinging rebuke from the home fans, who booed loudly at the full-time whistle.
Fans were frustrated by what they felt was a tepid, risk-averse performance from Arne Slot ’s side, after the Reds squandered an early goal and allowed Chelsea to grow in ascendancy throughout the game. Several moments of passive play resulted in exasperated groans from supporters, which has become an all-too-common theme at Anfield this season.
READ MORE: Arne Slot decision booed as Liverpool struggle again at Anfield- 5 talking points vs ChelseaREAD MORE: Arne Slot responds to Liverpool boos with '100 percent convinced' verdict on future
Gomez, the club’s longest-serving player, knows better than anyone the demands of Liverpool supporters and admitted the squad has been impacted by the palpable emotions at games this season.
“We feel it. It's the last thing we want,” the 28-year-old told reporters at Anfield on Saturday. “For us older boys who have experienced so many good times here it does hurt. If it didn't, then you shouldn't still be here. We want to make it right.
“It's just a reaction to the whole year, and that's fair enough. The fans pay their hard-earned money to come and watch us and they're entitled to show their frustration, in the same way they cheer us.
“Yeah, 100 percent,” he added, on whether boos are a rarity at Anfield. “We’ve all said on record a few times this year we know this is not where we want to be and the position we want to be in.
Joe Gomez pulls his shirt over his mouth
It has been a difficult campaign for Liverpool
“I think we get it, we understand it. I hope you could see the urgency that we want to win. It’s not a case of giving over.”
The speed of Liverpool’s play this season has been a bone of contention with fans, especially in comparison to the high-octane style of Slot’s predecessor. In comparison, the Dutchman’s approach can at times feel pedestrian.
However, Gomez said there has been a clear stylistic deviation since Jurgen Klopp’s exit, which results in greater control and led Liverpool to the title last season, but typically produces fewer explosive moments.
“I think we have to remember that tactically we made a step last year which was very effective and one of the strengths of our coaching staff is to adapt every game and try and expose and overload in certain areas and that that is a different style to the faster pace,” said the former Charlton man.
Arne Slot and Rio Ngumoha
Slot's decision to replace Ngumoha was booed on Saturday at Anfield
“We get that sometimes it's not as fluid or as high intensity on the ball as always. It does get frustrating when it gets fragmented but there have also been times when it’s controlled the game, not as much this year.
“It’s a Catch-22 sometimes when you're trying to control the game, keep possession. We expect to dominate possession percentage-wise in any game we’re in, but that isn't always high-paced, trying to thread the ball in behind and score.”
Article continues below
Slot's decision to replace Rio Ngumoha in the 67th minute also drew the ire of Liverpool fans, resulting in vociferous boos. The head coach cited Ngumoha’s cramp as a reason for his withdrawal, and Gomez also defended the substitution.
“To give a perspective, from the bench, Rio, he's young and he played in the high-intense game. I don't know how many games he started this year, but physically, he was tired and I think those are the subtle things behind the scenes you probably don't realize.
“But we get it: Rio is a top player and has the ability to be a bright star for us in the future. But it was the later stages of the game and he’s tired.”