Virgil Van Dijk is widely regarded as one of the best defenders plying their trade in the Premier League today. The Liverpool centre-back is praised from all angles on a daily basis, and rightly so he’s been immense, however on this particular occasion the Dutchman has been placed in the shadow of one of his own teammates.
Former Chelsea and Tottenham defender Jason Cundy, who now works on talkSPORT, has showered compliments in the direction of Van Dijk’s fellow defender Joe Gomez, who he claims is ‘fast becoming one of best defenders in the world,” and is among the “very top defenders in Europe.” (see the attached tweet for the full plauditory quote).
There’s no two ways about it, Gomez has enjoyed a stellar season to date, starting in eight of Liverpool’s nine Premier League games, while in the only game he didn’t play the full 90 minutes he was a second-half substitute in the comprehensive 3-0 defeat of Southampton.
The Reds have conceded only three league goals this term - their fewest ever at this stage of the season - and Gomez has played a key part in the Premier League’s joint-best defence (alongside leaders Man City).
The young Englishman can be employed at centre-back or at right-back, in a back three or a back four, excelling in each position he’s placed in.
As pointed out in Cundy’s quote below, Gomez could potentially even thrive in Liverpool’s ultra-competitive midfield, while his pace, awareness and mental toughness are other key aspects to his game.
Meanwhile, boss Jurgen Klopp has also been full of praise for the 21-year-old who is in talks over a new contract at Anfield.
“I remember when I came in and everybody told me about him. I knew him but not really well, and everybody told me how good he was when he came to Liverpool,” said Klopp.
“I watched the games back from before I came in, and he played mostly as a left-back, and it was good but not that you would say ‘that will change the football world’. Then he got the injury and he has had to fight back. It took a while.
“Now seeing him full of confidence, and being really fit. I know what they were talking about when they told me how good he was, and much more importantly how good he is.
“He has a big future here at Liverpool, no doubt about that.”
