GOMEZ IDEAL TO PARTNER VIRGIL

VIRGIL VAN DIJK is an important signing for Liverpool but while centre back is a position Jurgen Klopp needed to strengthen, one player will not fix the problems in his defence. What Klopp should do now is use this as an opportunity to form a new partnership in the heart of Liverpool’s back line by moving Joe Gomez into the middle to play alongside his record signing. Until his ankle injury last January, Van Dijk was one of the best defenders in the Premier League. He was using the ball well and purring around the pitch. He had pace, power in the air and was really looking the part. Whether it is because he is not 100 per cent fit or has not wanted to risk another injury, it has felt like Van Dijk has been going through the motions for Southampton this season. He has plenty of work to do to get back to his best but you feel there is a lot more to come. While Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip are too cumbersome and lack mobility, Van Dijk and Gomez are both quick players who would complement each other well. Gomez has earned his stripes playing out wide but at times, such as in last week’s 3-3 draw at Arsenal, he has looked like a centre half playing at right back. It is time for Gomez to be given his chance at centre back. There have been too many changes to Liverpool’s defence this season. It is one thing rotating your forward players but frequent changes to the back line can breed instability. This is a great chance for Klopp to take a sharper look at what is best defensively for his side in the long term and start to work with a settled back four.