Steve McManaman and Tottenham academy coach Jermain Defoe were critical of Joe Gomez’s defending as Liverpool fell to a 2-1 defeat to Ange Postecoglou’s side.
The duo felt that Joe Gomez was at fault for Son Heung-min’s goal when he failed to stop a defence-splitting pass by James Maddison from reaching Richarlison, who cut the ball back for Tottenham to open the scoring.
Steve McManaman claimed that the Liverpool star might have been confused, in regards to his positioning, because he has played ‘central-defence and right-back this year’, as he told Premier League Productions (30/09/23 at 6:30 pm).
With Trent Alexander-Arnold only fit enough for the bench, it meant that Jurgen Klopp handed the right-back reigns to his versatile defender.
It’s not a role that isn’t new to him, he has played it on a number of occasions before, but it wasn’t so long ago that he was being criticised for his performance at right-back.
All in all, it was a day to forget for all involved with Liverpool. From Joel Matip to Diogo Jota, as the spirited Reds ended up conceding in stoppage-time.
Joe Gomez at right-back
“It’s poor defending from Joe Gomez,” said Defoe. “But he (Maddison) waits for (Richarlison’s) movement and it’s just the weight of pass.”
McManaman added: “Joe Gomez is too far out. Maybe because he has been playing central defence and right-back this year. He just gets caught. Too far away from Matip.
“The danger ball was inside the exact path. Let the ball go to Richarlison on the touchline. No problem at all. He isn’t going to take you on. And he got caught out.”
Trent Alexander-Arnold return
Given that the Anfield academy product got some minutes under his belt yesterday, then you would imagine that he should start in Europe in midweek.
Liverpool are in Europa League action against Union Saint-Gilloise, and whilst Alexander-Arnold might have been previously rested for such a game, the Reds need him back on the pitch and performing.
But it also needs to be noted that the Merseyside club also have a tricky trip to Brighton next week. Yes, they were just slapped 6-1 by Aston Villa, but they will want to bounce back in front of their own fans.
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