'Worked so, so hard': TAA says Liverpool man who has started just one PL game this season is truly 'amazing'

By Shamanth Jayaram

Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold has heaped praise on fellow defender Joe Gomez following his performance against Norwich City over the weekend.

Gomez was once an undisputed starter for Liverpool alongside Virgil van Dijk but he has fallen down the pecking order. His injury last season has cost him a place in the side, but that hasn’t stopped him from working incredibly hard behind the scenes.

Jurgen Klopp gave Gomez his first start in the Premier League this season against Norwich and he was fantastic. He didn’t look out of place at all despite not playing so frequently, and Alexander-Arnold was really impressed with his compatriot.

Here’s what TAA said about Gomez and his performance on Saturday.

• Pundit says people are not appreciating ‘wonderful’ Liverpool player now but they will after he leaves Anfield

Trent Alexander-Arnold: Liverpool defender Joe Gomez is amazing

Speaking to Liverpool’s official website ahead of the game against Leeds United, Alexander-Arnold said: “It’s amazing, 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.”

• Report: Newcastle likely to make summer move to sign ‘sensational’ Liverpool player if they stay up

A look at Gomez’s stats:

Gomez started in Alexander-Arnold’s right-back position against Norwich on Saturday and although he didn’t quite have the crossing that TAA would usually produce, he wasn’t bad by any means.

In his 90 minutes on the pitch, the Englishman had 98 touches of the ball and completed 72 of his 79 attempted passes, maintaining a very impressive 91 per cent passing accuracy.

He completed five of his six attempted long balls and four of his five attempted dribbles, which is brilliant for someone who is naturally a central defender. (SofaScore)

Gomez is expected to drop out of the side for the game against Leeds United but his performance against Norwich has made Klopp realise that he’s ready to step in whenever required.

• ‘He’ll be a problem’: Rio Ferdinand has just made a prediction about one Liverpool player