OPINION
Joe Gomez has been brilliant for Liverpool this season, striking up a wonderful partnership with Virgil van Dijk in the centre of the Liverpool defence.
He’s also played at right-back though, when Jurgen Klopp has preferred Dejan Lovren in the middle.
That was the case tonight in a really tough Champions League game in France against PSG, but it didn’t work out.
And many Liverpool fans flocked onto Twitter to ask why Klopp had decided to break up Gomez and VVD in the middle, while benching Trent Alexander-Arnold, who they claim is better at right-back.
It’s always good having options as a manager but sometimes you can overthink yourself and Liverpool fans think that was the case tonight.
Liverpool were competitive but their defence let them down against a mouth-watering attack.
They lost the game 2-1 and Liverpool fans raced to Twitter, if not to criticise Gomez, but to ask why he wasn’t playing in the centre of defence.
One fan summed it up perfectly when he said, “Dropping TAA, who is better than Gomez at RB, in order to drop Gomez at CB for Lovren despite Gomez being a better CB than Lovren.”
Here are their best reactions to the display from Gomez at right-back against PSG:
Giving my "player rating" to Klopp already: 2.
First, that midfield is useless. It surrenders MF & disrupts link up to our attack.
Dropping TAA, who is better than Gomez at RB, in order to drop Gomez at CB for Lovren despite Gomez being a better CB than Lovren. #LFC #PSGLIV
— Jamie Dissent (@JamesDissent) November 28, 2018
#LFC @LFC On a night you desperately need a top quality natural athletic CDM Klopp leaves Fab out the team!! Shocking Managment. And splitting up VVD&GOMEZ on such an important night is just ludicrous ?????
— Mark (@Marklfc10Mark) November 28, 2018
Gomez for TAA and Lovren starting, impressive Shaqiri benched and yo Hendo in midfielder lol. Klopp needs the Europa League more than UCL #PSGLIV #LFC
— Jay Popsy (@JohnMarsAuto) November 28, 2018
Didn't wanna say anything before the game as I'd be accused of been negative but that Midfield as a three has been predictabaly embarrasing! Missing Gomez at CB too. I get Klopp been cautious but the midfield aren't even doing a job defensively…literally non-existent! #LFC
— David Cresswell (@CresswellDJ) November 28, 2018
When's Klopp gonna learn stick with Gomez n VVD centre halfs n Henderson is done what has Shaqiri gotta do like #LFC
— redeffy (@redeffy) November 28, 2018
https://twitter.com/adinfinitumex/status/1067885795707621377
https://twitter.com/RT3960/status/1067885494892224516
For me TAA is a better right back than Gomez. Gomez is for me a better CB than Lovren. does anyone else agree? Not sure why klopp persists with alternating the 3 of them and lovren seems to be the winner playing in ‘his’ natural position #LFC play Gomez CB ffs and leave him there
— Jon-Paul Kelleher (@JpkPaul) November 28, 2018
I'll happily take 2-1 in the context of that half. Despite PSG's threat, we can still win this #PSGLFC
Observations:
I understand the rationale behind Gomez at RB, but he doesn't look comfortable.
Shaqiri is tailor-made to impact this game.
Mbappe's pace is scary. #YNWA #LFC
— Cash Boyle (@cashboyle) November 28, 2018
https://twitter.com/Browny_K/status/1067884998601129990
Dear Jurgen,
Please stop playing Lovren, especially when it means moving Gomez to right back. #LFC #championsleague
Thanks.
— Aaron (@Aaron86192197) November 28, 2018
https://twitter.com/TheCineSinge/status/1067883418904604672
If we play the same 2nd half though it will be an easy PSG win! We gotta change things! Lovren should never have started ,get Gomez back to centre and Trent on !#LFC #YNWA
— RayK (@RayKhan4) November 28, 2018
Alexander Arnold has to come on for Lovren! Gomez to cb! #LFC
— Luke McNaughton (@LukeMcn01) November 28, 2018