Liverpool legend boldly claims 21-year-old won’t get any better

Add as preferred source on Google

Former Liverpool defender has risked the wrath of the Reds faithful by predicting defender Joe Gomez will not get any better than he already is.

The 57-year-old, who represented Liverpool between 1981-1994, has claimed the former Charlton Athletic prospect’s development will tail off – despite the player being just 21 years old.

Speaking about transfer target Matthijs de Ligt on ESPN FC, Nicol said: “I’ll tell you what, de Ligt and van Dijk at any club would be arguably the best centre-back pairing in world football, no question.

“And absolutely Liverpool need to try and get somebody beside Van Dijk who is in his stratosphere.

“The thing is though, Gomez before he got injured was doing an excellent job but I’m not sure that he is going to get any better than he already is to be honest with you.”

TBR’s view

Nicol’s views are sure to be received negatively by Liverpool supporters, who have seen some superb displays from Gomez this season.

Before breaking his leg in November, Gomez was in imperious form alongside van Dijk and was progressing nicely.

He is now back fit again and perhaps rightly hasn’t been put back into the starting XI by Jurgen Klopp due to the form of Joel Matip.

Gomez is still many years away from his peak so for Nicol to predict he won’t get any better than what he is now is strange.

Especially when he will be playing alongside someone as good as van Dijk for the foreseeable future.