I’M SPHINXING OUT LOUD
JOE GOMEZ may be only 20 but the Liverpool star is very much his own man.
He said: “I was worried it might backfire but I think not going with the U-21s and getting the opportunity to get straight into pre-season with Liverpool has helped me progress this season.”
England boss Gareth Southgate uthgate rates his maturity so highly that, t, when Phil Jones picked up an early injury njury against Brazil at Wembley in November, mber, Gomez was thrown on to patrol Neymar. ymar.
Days later he followed that at up with an outing against Germany – again on the right of a three- man defence ence – with England keeping a clean sheet t both times.
“I enjoy playing f ull- back at Liverpool but I see myself moving inside at some point. t. I’m comfortable there,” he said.
With Southgate facing ng defensive dilemmas over Gary ary Cahill, Michael Keane and Jones, es, the World Cup in Russia sududdenly beckons for Gomez.
An ankle problem curtailed d his appearance for England in the he 1-0 win over Holland on Friday, day, but he remains upbeat. “It’s a great t opportunity for us that Gareth is the manager,” ager,” Gomez said. “He is maybe more open pen to giving youth a chance.
“As for Russia, I haven’t n’t got any expectations. But it would be a massive plus for me and a great eat honour if I did get on that at plane.”
Gomez, though, is a doubt bt for Tuesday’s Wembley friendly dly against Italy.
Southgate said: “Gomez seemed eemed to take a knock in the air and land a bit it awkwardly, so we need to check that one.” .” JOE GOMEZ says it’s hard to choose who is better – Neymar or Mo Salah.
Liverpool and England youngster Gomez kept Brazilian star Neymar quiet on his Three Lions debut last November as Gareth Southgate’s men drew 0-0.
And having faced Egyptian goalmachine Salah in training at Liverpool, Gomez reckons the attacking duo are level-pegging as danger-men.
Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar, recovering from a broken foot, is the world’s most expensive player at £198million.
Salah, who cost Liverpool just £34.3m, has been scoring for fun and is hot favourite to win the Premier League Golden Boot. His 28-goal tally is four better than the injured Harry Kane’s total for Tottenham.
Gomez said: “I’m not sure who is best! It’s hard to judge based on one game against Neymar.
“They’re both incredible players and it’s a pleasure for me to come up against such talent. They both have such great individual talent. They’re both world class.”