It’s been a year and 103 days since Joe Gomez last started a football match. It was a special moment for the strong defender to be named on Jurgen Klopp’s team sheet for the Norwich City clash. It’s a brand new start for the guy who overcame a problematic knee injury.The 24-year-old Englishman has fallen down the pecking order, with Ibrahima Konate arriving to Anfield while Gomez was out. After a couple of substitute cameos, Gomez was finally given a start in place of Trent Alexander-Arnold, who was rested for the Norwich game.📺 Jurgen Klopp on Joe Gomez:”Joe is a very special story. If I was Joe I know it would be really difficult to deal with this. Everybody loves Joe.” 🔴 pic.twitter.com/GHecJ6XWxJ— Anfield Watch (@AnfieldWatch) February 22, 2022 Even though playing at right-back isn’t Gomez’s primary position, he took it with both hands and enjoyed the occasion that almost felt like making his Liverpool debut.”It’s been a moment I’ve thought about for a long time. I’ve had to wait longer than I would have hoped, but at the end of the day, I’ve had to keep working and be the best member of the squad I can be, pushing the lads and doing my bit as well away from the pitch to try and be ready physically and mentally. It does mean a lot.”Despite waiting so long to get back in the starting eleven, Gomez has been patient and tried to support his teammates.”I don’t think the gaffer would expect anything less, and I think that’s part and parcel of being at this club. You have to do what you can to push the lads and be the best that you can be, whether in training, in the gym or whatever. That’s what I try to do and to keep on doing so.”Spier angling for more players from Gor Mahia Youth teamGomez has two more years on his contract, and it’s now up to him to stay fit and fight for his place amid reported interest from Aston Villa and Newcastle United.Alexander-Arnold believes that Gomez deserves to be back in the Reds’ backline.”It’s amazing that Joe’s back. He’s an amazing lad. He’s someone who has worked so, so hard. He always has, I think that’s just in his nature; in the gym, on the pitch, always giving 100 per cent. He’s waited a long time for that moment again to be able to start a Premier League game. He put in an amazing performance and showed that he is a top-quality player.”It was a hard battle to get back on the team. But Joe Gomez can’t afford to relax – because the battle to stay in the team will be an even harder one.PREMIER LEAGUERearranged gamesWednesday22.30: (4.50) Burnley (3.45) Tottenham (1.85)22.30: (3.00) Watford (3.10) Crystal Palace (2.50)22.45: (1.18) Liverpool (7.75) Leeds (13.0)Thursday22.45: (1.70) Arsenal (3.50) Wolverhampton (5.60)***odds are subject to change
