Gary Neville raves about ‘outstanding’ Liverpool player just weeks after Carragher criticism

Follow us on Google Discover

Gary Neville has hailed Joe Gomez after naming the Liverpool defender as Man of the Match in Sunday’s win over Manchester City.

Few were really giving Liverpool much chance of a win 24 hours ago.

The Reds haven’t been on top form this season and Jurgen Klopp has been desperately searching for a winning formula.

Add in injuries to players like Luis Diaz, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joel Matip and Ibrahima Konate and many were expecting Erling Haaland to run riot.

Gary Neville has hailed Joe Gomez

That isn’t what happened though as Liverpool came away with a 1-0 win thanks to a Mohamed Salah goal.

The Egyptian beautifully turned away from Joao Cancelo before running through to slot past Ederson for the only goal of the game.

City were left frustrated and Haaland wasn’t quite able to have his usual impact in front of goal.

The Norwegian did have a couple of decent chances but mostly found himself well-shackled by the Liverpool back line.

Virgil van Dijk was back to his imperious best at the back and his partner Joe Gomez was outstanding alongside him.

Gomez has come in for criticism at centre back in recent times, especially against Napoli in the Champions League last month.

Jamie Carragher suggested that Gomez had suffered his worst ever Liverpool performance in that game, and the criticism was absolutely fair.

Yet in this game, Gomez was superb as he racked up six clearances, one tackle, one interception, one blocked shot and one successful aerial duel in Liverpool’s 1-0 win.

Gary Neville was impressed with Gomez, so much so that he named the English centre back as the man of the match on Sunday.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Neville suggested that Gomez just pipped James Milner and Virgil van Dijk for his man of the match award.

Neville stated that Gomez was ‘outstanding’ against City having not only made ‘brilliant interceptions’ but also used his pace to cover for Milner at right back.

“Well, that’s my man of the match – Joe Gomez,” said Neville. “It could have gone to James Milner, it could have gone to Van Dijk, but it’s going to him.”

“I think he’s been outstanding at right centre back, an area I’m sure City were looking to target before the game but he’s covered behind Milner when Milner’s just got caught forward sometimes and he’s made some brilliant interceptions himself,” he added.