Gomez: LFC feels like home now - I'm so happy to stay
A challenging year on the sidelines with injury only strengthened Joe Gomez's bond with Liverpool – and ultimately made the decision to sign a new long-term contract a straightforward one.
The defender made an immediate impression upon signing for the club back in the summer of 2015, initially showing his talents in pre-season and subsequently kicking off the campaign with a place in the first team.
Gomez’s progress was cruelly stalled when he sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury on England U21 duty, and a lengthy rehabilitation period meant he would not return to training until last October.
In the interim, Jürgen Klopp had been appointed manager and much had changed – but not the belief shared by all at Melwood that the 19-year-old has huge potential to fulfil with the Reds.
And within moments of penning a fresh extension on Friday afternoon – the terms of which will come into effect on July 1, 2017 – Gomez explained why he feels even more attached to the club as he embarks on a new chapter of his career.
LFCTV GO: Gomez exclusive on new Reds deal
“I feel like I’ve been through so much since I’ve been here already,” he told Liverpoolfc.com.
“Having that year where I was shown a lot of support and so on from the fans, it made me have a good feeling around the club and made it feel like home to me.
“Putting that behind me, it’s nice to be back in the position to play and trying to do well for the club. I do feel at home here now and that’s obviously why I’m so happy to stay here for a good few more years.”
The announcement of Gomez’s new deal comes just two days after Philippe Coutinho committed his own long-term future to Liverpool.
And though later on Wednesday the Reds were left frustrated by elimination from the EFL Cup at the semi-final stage, the No.12 insists the ambitious squad can achieve success together in the seasons to come.
He added: “There’s a good feel around the club because everyone is happy to be here and it feels like the club is going in a great direction under this manager. I think that shows on the pitch.
“Whether there’s periods where we don’t get the results we want, regardless in the bigger picture the club is moving in a great direction and it’s got all the players and squad to do so. It’s got a great feel around it at the moment.”
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