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There is nothing positive about Liverpool not having Virgil van Dijk, but one thing it could do is offer a reminder of Joe Gomez’s skills and provide another opportunity for the 23-year-old to impress.
In Van Dijk’s absence, it is more important than ever that Gomez and Joel Matip stay in shape, something neither of them has accomplished perfectly in the past two seasons.
The pair have never started a game alongside each other, despite having been with the club for four seasons, though that is sure to change in the coming months.
However, for Gomez in particular, Van Dijk’s injury presents an opportunity to impress. Since Van Dijk has been at the club, Gomez has evolved to play exclusively as a central defender and is no longer forced to play as a winger.
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With that, the 23-year-old has become one of the best defenders in the world, though he has had forgettable performances, none more so than against Aston Villa earlier in the month, along with the best at that position.
However, Gomez, even when he has been playing at his best, has always had Van Dijk by his side as a point of comparison and as a possible explanation or assistant for his good performances, of which there have been many.
Without Van Dijk, Gomez must now show that he is just as capable alongside another teammate, much more for the team than his own personal gratification.
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On the Blood Red podcast, Dan Kay said, “Van Dijk’s absence gives Gomez the opportunity to [show people what he is really capable of].
“In the same way that a few years ago we always thought that Jordan Henderson was maybe not the same player when Steven Gerrard was, in Gerrard’s absence, Henderson stepped up, felt he had to take on more responsibilities and did.
“The same could apply to Gomez, and although he has a bumpy history in terms of injuries, his injuries tend to be more contact injuries than muscle injuries.”
Gomez remains the first choice for Jurgen Klopp even without Van Dijk by his side, and as well as Fabinho has done on paper, it would be far more beneficial for Liverpool to have the Brazilian available in his usual midfield position.
There is no doubt that the England international remains one of the most valued young defenders in the world right now, and the next few months may help to underline that even more.
No one was happy to learn the extent of Van Dijk’s injury, including his regular partner Gomez, but the ex-Charlton may step up again to help fill the void left by the Dutchman’s absence.
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