ALISSON IN BLUNDERLAND BUT GOMEZ IS LOOKING CLASS

Joe has talent to shine for club and country

The immediate attention was all on Alisson and the concerns that calamity has not yet left Liverpool’s goalkeeping.

Less obvious but of greater permanence to Jurgen Klopp’s side was the display of Joe Gomez.

Alisson’s mistake felt like an aberration, the early teething problems of a No 1 prepared to offer for the ball. he got it badly wrong on this occasion but spoke confidently about not letting it happen again.

Gomez, meanwhile, went about his duties with an outstanding consistency and command that told of longevity for club and country. Against Leicester, he was better than his centre back partner Virgil van Dijk.

Drawing the eye away from the man mountain is not easy but Gomez affected the game to a larger degree, showing intelligence to counter the speed of Demarai Gray in the first half and then muscularity to contain Kelechi Iheanacho in the second.

he looked forward with his passes — snapping one to Mohamed Salah to set up a shooting chance — and was alert to danger, his finest moment racing to execute a block on James Maddison’s goalbound strike.

Gareth Southgate was watching in the King Power stands and his conviction in the 21-year- old will only have been strengthened. The england manager has admired Gomez for a long time and is now expected to start the young defender against Spain at Wembley on Saturday.

Gomez only missed out on the World Cup due to injury. he damaged his ankle playing against holland in March and his attempt to come back quickly only delayed the surgery that was required. had he been fit, he would have been a certainty for Southgate in Russia.

Those who have followed his career closely believe he is a future england captain.

The summer break at least meant Gomez was able to get a full pre-season in his legs and now, for the first time in his Anfield career, he has enjoyed a stretch of four games in a row in his favoured centre back position. If defences win you titles, Liverpool’s finally looks up to scratch.

When viewed from the stands Gomez seems smaller than his 6ft 2in height, the consequence of being next to Van Dijk perhaps, but up close he is imposing indeed. Also palpable is the angst he still feels at missing out on the World Cup.

‘I was watching it like any other fan but I was disappointed not to be there,’ he said. ‘I’m over it now and it’s about moving on, I can’t dwell. I’m happy to be back in the squad.’

Gomez is in contact with Southgate. ‘We spoke quite a lot before the World Cup,’ he added. ‘We were sort of unsure before whether I was going to have the operation or not.

‘ It was very tough. It was just unfortunate that I played on with it. But I’m looking forward to getting some minutes in the two games.’

Klopp’s belief in youth, with 19-year-old Trent Alexander-Arnold alongside Gomez at right back, is england’s gain.

‘For me and Trent, we’re at a great club with a top manager,’ Gomez said. ‘We’re both grateful he puts faith in us to perform.

‘We’re obviously still quite young but I think its about trying to prove we’re capable and can communicate as a unit. hopefully we can keep progressing.’

Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino gave Liverpool the lead at Leicester before Rachid Ghezzal capitalized on Alisson’s error to make it 2-1.

It means Liverpool have won their opening four league games for the first time since 1990-91, when they went into the season as champions. ‘No pressure then!’ said Gomez. ‘We’ve had different challenges over the four games so far and it’s about adapting.

‘It’s very early doors and we all know that but we want to keep the momentum going after the international break.’