Kris Boyd feels Joe Gomez could emerge as a bonus for England at the World Cup in Qatar with his form for Liverpool. The Sky Sports pundit also feels his versatility will be a big help.
Gomez delivered an impressive performance as the Reds edged Manchester City at Anfield 1-0 last week. Jurgen Klopp started the 25-year-old in the Premier League for the fifth time this season against Pep Guardiola’s side. He has also opened two Champions League ties.
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His last European night came at right-back against Rangers and resulted in the 11-cap star assisting Roberto Firmino. Gomez found the Brazilian at Ibrox to double the Merseysiders’ advantage on way to winning 7-1. The cross was Gomez’s only assist through 11 games.
Impressing beside Virgil van Dijk at centre-back in place of Joel Matip and Ibrahima Konate has now put Gomez on the verge of seeing Gareth Southgate recall the Liverpool defender for England’s World Cup side. He has not represented the Three Lions since October 2020.
The Daily Mail reported ahead of The Football Association submitting its preliminary 55-man squad to FIFA on Friday that Southgate would include Gomez. But the Daily Mail also claims the Three Lions boss has not informed those he included in his provisional plans.
Boyd feels Liverpool ace Gomez can be a ‘bonus’ for England at the World Cup
Gomez has never been a regular for England since the Liverpool defender made his debut in November 2017 under Southgate. He has, at most, played three consecutive fixtures for the Three Lions. The £3.5m former Charlton Athletic gem has played three-in-a-row twice.
But as the London-born ace can play in multiple positions, Boyd has told Sky Sports News (22/10, 12:34) that Gomez – while impressing for Liverpool – could prove to be a bonus for Southgate and England at the World Cup. He sat out the 2018 edition with an ankle injury.
“Well, I think he can play in two or three different positions,” Boyd said. “There’s no doubt that Gomez has come in and done really well. I thought he handled [Erling] Haaland – him and Van Dijk – last week really well. You never really see him get isolated.
“Well, that was down to the people in front of him. But he’s understanding the game and that bonus when you go to major competitions if you can play in one or two positions, it definitely helps.”
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