Gomez: It's been easy to settle at LFC
Joe Gomez has extended his gratitude to Brendan Rodgers, Liverpool's coaching staff and his new teammates for helping him to settle into life at the club so quickly.
The 18-year-old defender sealed a move to Anfield in June on the back of an impressive debut season in the Championship with Charlton Athletic.
He was subsequently included in the first-team squad for the Reds' pre-season tour of Thailand, Australia and Malaysia, and put in a string of notable performances from the the unfamiliar position of left-back during his first outings for the club.
Gomez was yet again a composed presence in the back four as Liverpool defeated HJK 2-0 in Helsinki on Saturday in their penultimate pre-season friendly fixture.
But, after the game, the England U19 international refused to take all the credit for the speed with which he has acclimatised to his new surroundings.
"I’ve settled in really quickly and a lot of that is down to the manager, the staff and all my team-mates making me feel so welcome," he told the Liverpool Echo.
"They have made me feel comfortable and I’m enjoying my football here.
"Pre-season with all the travelling has been an amazing experience and something I’ve never been part of before. I’ve learned a lot. I’ve taken it all in and I’ve enjoyed it.
"It’s been great for me to get experience playing all along the back four as that helps me to play in numerous positions. I’m happy to play wherever the manager needs me.
"Ideally, centre-back is my main position but I’m happy to play right-back or left-back if the manager believes I can help the team there."
Gomez's efforts have put him in contention for a Barclays Premier League debut when the Reds head to Stoke City on the first day of the new season.
Though the Catford-born stopper insists he still has much to do to convince the manager that he should be in the team when the 2015-16 campaign gets under way.
"It was nice to get selected against Helsinki but there’s still a long way to go and a lot of work to be done between now and Stoke," he added.
"I just have to keep working hard to get in the team. That’s my aim to try and play at Stoke.
"If I do start then I’m confident in my ability and I’ll do my best to help the team.
"I always like to try and stay as relaxed as possible. I do obviously feel pressure but that mainly comes from myself and wanting to do well.
"And wanting to perform well for my friends and family who are always supporting me. I want to do them proud."
Liverpool's trip to the Britannia Stadium on Sunday provides the opportunity for the squad to quickly avenge a 6-1 defeat at the same venue on the final day of last season.
Gomez says his colleagues aren't dwelling on that result, however, and he is confident that things will be different this time around.
"I remember watching the highlights of that game on TV," he explained.
"I didn’t know at that point I’d be coming to Liverpool. I’d spoken to them but nothing was certain.
"It was an extraordinary result but there’s been a lot of changes to the squad since then.
"Everyone is up for it. I’m sure those who were involved in May will use it as motivation. After a good pre-season everyone is confident we can go there and get a result.
"Since I’ve been here that game hasn’t been talked about. Everyone is positive and looking forward to the game."
The versatile defender also enthused about fellow summer signings Roberto Firmino and Christian Benteke, who both enjoyed productive run-outs against Swindon Town on Sunday.
"You could tell straightaway when they started training with us that they are two world class players," he said.
"Their quality in the sessions was clear. They are two massive signings and they’ll help the team to do bigger and better things this season."