Liverpool host Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League this afternoon looking to end a depressing run of form, with just one win in five league matches, also crashing out of the Europa League against Atalanta in this period .
The winds of change are blowing at Anfield, as Liverpool prepare for life under Jurgen Klopp after almost nine years in charge with the German, returning the club to its perch and winning numerous major honors.
Klopp’s side have enjoyed a thrilling campaign for the most part, resurging and triumphing in the Carabao Cup in February despite huge injury problems in what appeared to be a tone for the finals, with silverware still to come. win on all possible fronts.
That didn’t happen, but the third-placed Premier League side have still made giant strides this season, after falling off a proverbial cliff last year.
With just three matches remaining for the Merseysiders, Klopp will be determined to string together a top-class burst of form to end his illustrious tenure on a high, even if he will have to overcome a worrying injury blow against Spurs at Anfield this year. afternoon.
Liverpool team news
During his pre-match press conference, Klopp revealed that captain Virgil van Dijk had not trained all week, despite taking part in parts of the team’s training on Friday and could play a role.
Diogo Jota is still unavailable as he recovers from an issue, but Conor Bradley is ready to make his return after spending the last few weeks recovering from an ankle injury.
Veterans Joel Matip and Thiago Alcantara (both out of contract this summer) and talented youngster Ben Doak all remain sidelined with long-term issues.
Van Dijk’s potential absence is not distressing news, with the Dutch star a pillar of strength and leadership in difficult circumstances this season.
Virgil van Dijk’s season in numbers
Van Dijk was unsettled last season as Liverpool flattered to deceive throughout a torrid campaign, but he has returned to his best since earning the captain’s armband last summer and has been the one of the main reasons for the rebirth of his team.
According to Sofascore, the 32-year-old has made 33 Premier League appearances this season, scoring two goals and adding two assists, completing 91% of his passes, averaging 1.2 tackles, 4.8 ball recoveries and 3.9 clearances per game and winning a staggering score. 77% of his duels, totally dominant in the air and serenely crunching in ground fights.
Aside from his supreme defensive strength and commanding leadership, Van Dijk is also one of the game’s most successful full-back distributors, ranking among the top 10% of center backs in Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for pass execution, the top 6% for attempted passes, the top 12% for assists, the top 3% for shot creation actions and the top 9% for progressive passes per 90, according to FBref.
That’s a roundabout way of saying he’s not an easy man to replace, and given the unconvincing and error-strewn performances of Ibrahima Konate and Jarell Quansah in recent matches, perhaps it’s time for Klopp to try something different and dump Joe. Gomez returns to the starting mix.
Why Joe Gomez must replace Virgil van Dijk
“https://twitter.com/joel_archie/status/1705961134090535123“.
| Joe Gomez: 23/24 statistics by position | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Position | apps | Aids | Clean sheets |
| Back right | 23 | 1 | 5 |
| Leaving behind | 17 | 1 | 5 |
| Central defender | 5 | 1 | 5 |
| Defensive midfielder | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Statistics via Transfermarkt | |||
The 26-year-old is Liverpool’s longest-serving first-team player after joining Charlton Athletic as a teenager for a fee of £3.5 million in 2015, having made 222 appearances and won all range under Klopp’s wing.
But everything comes to an end and recent news suggests that Gomez is now considering leaving the club alongside Klopp this summer, having given his all for almost a decade and now apparently wants to seek pastures new.
Regardless, Gomez is an invaluable member of the team and by being placed in a central defensive role against Tottenham, he could produce the kind of performance that would leave Michael Edwards, Richard Hughes and co throwing the kitchen sink at the table. kitchen to convince him. to stay put.
Gomez ranks in the top 8% of full-backs in Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for passes attempted, top 19% for progressive passes, top 20% for interceptions and top 4% for aerial victories by 90 (FBref).
Although these measurements have been compared to those of his peers – wide defenders – Gomez has a wealth of experience as a central defender and he could prove to be the counterbalancing force to succeed alongside Konate later today.
Spurs are in a sorry state themselves, losing three successive Premier League matches, but complacency would hurt Liverpool’s performance, with players like Heung-min Son, James Maddison and others more than capable of incisively getting around a red rearguard which dispatched eight. goals in as many matches in April.
Gomez, who earns £85,000 a week, has barely played in central defense this season, but the last time he did, in a 3-0 win over Aston Villa in the Premier League in September, he Incredibly took 121 touches, completed 95% of his passes and won five of his seven duels played.
This type of proactive, clean and comprehensive display is exactly what will be needed if Liverpool are to knock out Tottenham and set the mood for a fitting farewell for the esteemed Klopp.
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This bold call could pay dividends for Liverpool next season.
Gomez is multi-functional and was even rated as “absolutely invaluable” for Liverpool by pundit Steve McManaman given his dynamism and elite tactical flexibility.
This could prove to be the 6ft 2in star’s last chance at Liverpool, where he could make a big impact in a new role and perhaps convince Anfield bosses that he should stay at the club.
