The Liverpool defender looked superb when he arrived but he is having a poor season this time round.
Shortly after Joe Gomez’s arrival at Liverpool, the then-18-year-old set about impressing his new supporters with a string of brilliant performances at left-back and it seemed the Reds had a super-star in the making on their hands.
Unfortunately for Gomez, a cruciate ligament injury struck soon after and he spent months battling back, finally regaining full fitness only to see his Premier League return delayed until the start of the current campaign.
By then, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp had his feet firmly under the table, having arrived just a few weeks into Gomez’s injury lay-off, but on recent evidence it seems the 20-year-old has gone backwards under the German’s guidance.
Such were Liverpool’s defensive struggles last season that many fans were calling for Gomez’s return prior to the summer break. But now, back in the fold and featuring predominantly as a right-back this time round, he looks woefully off the pace and a shadow of his former self.
Long-term injuries can have that affect and the Liverpool defender is young enough to get over his current problems and become the quality centre-back he was once touted to be.
The issue is Klopp clearly does not prioritise defence, at least not if team selections and transfers are anything to go by, and Gomez is suffering as a consequence.
Only time will tell if the former Charlton Athletic youngster can get back to his best and force his way into his preferred position ahead of Dejan Lovren or Ragnar Klavan.
But the truth is Klopp does not appear to have improved him in any way thus far, with Trent Alexander-Arnold outshining him in wide areas, and it is sad to watch his baffling (albeit potentially short-term) decline.
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