Alan Shearer explains wish for Liverpool defender Joe Gomez

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Alan Shearer has explained that he’s desperate for Liverpool defender Joe Gomez to consolidate a spot in the England national team, but recognises he needs regular games at Anfield.

The 22-year-old is a highly-rated young talent in the Premier League and has shown his potential since joining the Reds for £3.5million (BBC) back in 2015.

But the defender’s career has been stop-start due to a number of injury problems and an ankle setback ruled him out for a few months during the most recent season.

He made just 26 senior appearances across all competitions and has a fight to break into Jurgen Klopp’s XI.

Shearer is keen for Gomez to play regularly at centre-back for Liverpool, rather than slotting in at right-back like he can due to his versatility.

But he’s got Virgil Van Dijk, Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip all competing for a centre-back position right now at Anfield.

“Hopefully Joe Gomez plays enough games for Liverpool in the centre of defence to become a regular for England there,” Shearer wrote in the Sun.

TBR’s View:

If Gomez can get a regular run of starts together at centre-back for Liverpool, then it seems there is a real chance of him becoming a consistent member of the national side.

He’s earned just six senior international caps for England so far, but has all the potential to play plenty more and put pressure on the likes of John Stones and Harry Maguire.

The defender is quick, powerful and also has the composure to play out from the back like Southgate wants.

Gomez needs to focus on becoming a regular for Liverpool before anything and dislodging Matip is going to be some sizeable task at the start of next year.