Clyne's Gomez warning: He can get better
Nathaniel Clyne has a warning about Joe Gomez: the Liverpool defender everybody is talking about can get even better in the years to come.
When the Reds secured the 18-year-old’s signature during the summer, outside observers hailed the move as a wise one with the future in mind. There was soon talk of a loan switch to bolster his experience.
But Gomez impressed so quickly during the club’s pre-season tour that Brendan Rodgers immediately declared the England youth international would remain at Anfield.
Handed a start on the left side of defence for the season opener at Stoke City, the natural centre-back met the challenges posed by the Potters with authority and calm far beyond his tender age.
The position has therefore been his for all three Barclays Premier League games so far, none of which have seen Liverpool concede a goal.
“He has done excellently,” Clyne, a fellow ever-present in Rodgers’ back four, told Liverpoolfc.com.
“From the start of pre-season he has been working really hard. He is a centre-back but he can also play left-back and right-back. He can probably play anywhere in the back four. That just shows the versatility that he’s got.
“It’s good to play in a number of positions, especially with a lot of games in the season.”
Just 93 days after celebrating his 18th birthday, Gomez stood out on a pitch of superstars at the Emirates earlier this week.
His comfort in taking and distributing possession helped Liverpool control the first half before his positioning and awareness contributed to keeping Arsenal at bay as the match ended 0-0.
The following day, he was called up to the England U21 squad.
Clyne added: “He has been quality. Stepping up to the Premier League can be difficult but he has risen above it.
“He is looking like a quality player. He’s so young and he can only get better.”