Joe Gomez (footballer)

Joseph Dave Gomez (born 23 May 1997) is an English professional footballer who plays as a centre back for Premier League club Liverpool and the England national team.

Joe Gomez
Gomez with the victory parade following Liverpool's win in the 2019 UEFA Champions League Final
Personal information
Full name Joseph Dave Gomez[1]
Date of birth (1997-05-23) 23 May 1997[2]
Place of birth Catford, England
Height 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)[3]
Position(s) Centre-back[4]
Club information
Current team
 Liverpool
Number 12
Youth career
2007–2014 Charlton Athletic
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2014–2015 Charlton Athletic 21 (0)
2015– Liverpool 79 (0)
National team‡
2012 England U16 2 (0)
2013–2014 England U17 19 (0)
2014–2015 England U19 4 (0)
2015–2017 England U21 7 (0)
2017– England 11 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 18:25, 8 November 2020 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 22:34, 8 October 2020 (UTC)

Gomez began his career at Charlton Athletic, breaking into the first team at 17 and playing one full senior season before joining Liverpool in June 2015. After establishing himself as a first-team regular, Gomez struggled with injuries, but appeared in the 2019 UEFA Champions League Final as Liverpool won the competition. He played in the final of the 2019 FIFA Club World Cup with Liverpool winning the competition for the first time in the club's history. He was part of the side that won the 2019–20 Premier League, Liverpool's first league title in 30 years.

Gomez has represented England at every level and played every minute of every match when England won the 2014 UEFA European Under-17 Championship. He made his debut for the England senior team in November 2017.

Club career

Charlton Athletic
Gomez warming up for Charlton Athletic in 2015

Gomez was born in Catford, Greater London[5] to a Gambian father and an English mother.[6] He joined the academy at nearby Charlton Athletic at the age of 10,[7] making his debut for the club's under-18 team at just 13 years old.[8] Despite strong interest from other clubs,[9] Gomez signed his first professional contract with Charlton in October 2014.[10] His senior debut came under manager Bob Peeters in a 4–0 League Cup victory over Colchester United at The Valley on 12 August 2014, playing the full 90 minutes as the right back.[11][12] A week later he made his league debut in a 3–2 home win against Derby County in the Championship. Gomez went on to make 24 appearances during his first season including 18 starts, at right back and in his preferred position of centre back.

Liverpool
Gomez lining up for Liverpool in 2017

On 20 June 2015, Premier League club Liverpool signed Gomez on a five-year contract for a fee of £3.5 million.[13][14] He made his debut against Stoke City on 9 August, starting as a left back in a 1–0 win, assisting Philippe Coutinho's match-winning goal in the 86th minute.[15]

On 13 October 2015, Gomez suffered a season ending anterior cruciate ligament injury while playing for England U21.[16] A full year later, Gomez returned to full first-team training on 13 October 2016.[17] On 13 November, Gomez played 45 minutes in a behind closed doors friendly.[18]

On 8 January 2017, Gomez made his first start in official first-team match since the injury, in FA Cup tie against Plymouth Argyle.[19]

2017–18 season

On 23 August 2017, Gomez made his European debut, in a 4–2 win over Hoffenheim in the UEFA Champions League play-off.[20] Due to the injury of Nathaniel Clyne, Gomez was the first choice right back for the first half of the season; even starting in games against rivals Arsenal and Manchester United; against the former he assisted the first goal in an eventual 4–0 win, and his performance against the latter receiving praise from fans.[21][22][23][24]

In late March 2018, it was confirmed how Gomez would miss the next few games as a result of suffering an injury during an international friendly game.[25] In May 2018, Gomez underwent surgery to his ankle injury, with Liverpool confirming via their official website that Gomez wouldn't play in Liverpool's last fixtures of the season, including the 2018 UEFA Champions League final.[26] Overall, Gomez made 31 appearances across the season for Liverpool.[27]

2018–19 season

As a result of the doubtful fitness of regular first-team defenders Dejan Lovren and Joël Matip, Gomez played as first-choice centre back in Liverpool's first games of the season alongside Virgil van Dijk, receiving praise for his performances and receiving the man of the match for his performance in a 2–1 win over Leicester City on 1 September.[28][29][30] He continued to feature in defence for the club during the opening half of the season before suffering a fractured leg in December following a challenge by Burnley defender Ben Mee. In February of the following year, he underwent surgery in an attempt to assist his recovery from the injury.[31] Regaining fitness in April, Gomez made a substitute appearance for Liverpool in the 2019 UEFA Champions League Final, which the club won.[32]

2019–20 season

Gomez began the next season deputising for the in-form Joël Matip, who had become a mainstay alongside Virgil van Dijk during Gomez's injury layoff the previous season. Gomez found himself recalled to the starting lineup following injury problems for Matip, and earned praise after a slew of clean sheets in the Winter months as Liverpool extended a significant lead at the top of the Premier League table. Gomez was singled out for praise for his leadership and composure during a 1–0 victory over rivals Everton in the FA Cup in January; a match in which Gomez was the only senior player in the back-line after James Milner's early departure.[33]

2020–21 season

Gomez provided a brilliant assist for Diogo Jota in their Champions League away game against Atalanta, where Liverpool won 5-0.

Gomez suffered a tendon injury to his left knee whilst away on international duty with England and underwent successful surgery on 11 November 2020 to correct the damage. [34] This left Liverpool with an injury crisis at the centre of their defence, following the ACL injury of Gomez' centre-back partner Virgil Van Dijk.[35] FIFA agreed to pay Liverpool £2 million in compensation to cover Gomez's wages whilst he was injured. [36]

International career
Gomez playing for England U19 in 2015

Gomez has been capped by England at under-16, under-17 and under-19 levels.[37] In May 2014, he was part of the squad that won the 2014 UEFA European Under-17 Championship in Malta, playing every minute of England's five matches and being named in UEFA's team of the tournament.[38]

On 25 August 2015, he received his first call-up to the under-21 squad.[39] On 30 August 2017, Gomez was announced as England U21 captain ahead of the qualifying campaign for the 2019 UEFA European Under-21 Championship.[40]

He received his first call-up to the England senior squad in November 2017.[41] He made his England debut against Germany at Wembley Stadium in a friendly match, coming on as a substitute to replace Phil Jones in a 0–0 draw.[42] Gomez received a man of the match award in the following game for his performance against Brazil, earning praise for a number of crucial interceptions, and with his ability to nullify the threat of the current world record transfer holder, Neymar.[43]

Style of play

Gomez prefers to play as a centre back but can also play as a full back on either side.[44] He has been described as a complete footballer and composed ball-playing centre back with his style of play being compared to that of Rio Ferdinand whom he idolised growing up.[45][46] Gomez is also noted for his athleticism, pace and strength; he is able to produce powerful and dangerous runs up-field on the counter-attack and in defence is rarely physically dominated by an opponent.[38][46][47]

Personal life

Gomez met his fiancée, Tamara, in 2014, on a bus on his way to school. They live together in Formby, on the outskirts of Liverpool. They had a son, Kyrie in 2018.[48] Gomez is a cousin of Bolton Wanderers forward Muhammadu Faal.[49]

Career statistics

Club
As of match played 8 November 2020
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Europe Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Charlton Athletic 2014–15[50] Championship 2101020——240
Liverpool 2015–16[51] Premier League 5000002[lower-alpha 1]0—70
2016–17[52] Premier League 003000——30
2017–18[27] Premier League 23010106[lower-alpha 2]0—310
2018–19[53] Premier League 16000009[lower-alpha 2]0—250
2019–20[54] Premier League 28020207[lower-alpha 2]04[lower-alpha 3]0430
2020–21[55] Premier League 7000103[lower-alpha 2]01[lower-alpha 4]0120
Total 7906040270501210
Career total 10007060270501450
  1. Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  2. Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  3. One appearance in FA Community Shield, one in UEFA Super Cup, two in FIFA Club World Cup
  4. Appearance in FA Community Shield

International
As of match played 8 October 2020[56]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
England 201720
201840
201920
202030
Total110

Honours

Liverpool

England U17

England

Individual

  • UEFA European Under-17 Championship Team of the Tournament: 2014[38]

References
  1. "FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2019: List of Players: Liverpool" (PDF). FIFA. 21 December 2019. p. 7. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 January 2020.
  2. "Joe Gomez: Overview". ESPN. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
  3. "Joe Gomez: Profile". worldfootball.net. HEIM:SPIEL. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
  4. "Joe Gomez". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 9 June 2019.
  5. "Joe Gomez". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
  6. "Gambia lose out on Joe Gomez".
  7. "Joe Gomez "honoured" to join Charlton's list of England international academy graduates". Charlton Athletic F.C. 11 November 2017. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
  8. 2014/15 Charlton Athletic Club Handbook
  9. "Liverpool vs Bournemouth: Joe Gomez takes slow approach to reaching life in the fast lane". The Daily Telegraph. London. 16 August 2015. Retrieved 28 September 2015.
  10. "Joe Gomez: Charlton Athletic youngster signs new contract". BBC Sport. 7 October 2014. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  11. "Joe Gomez impresses boss on his Charlton debut". The Football Association. 12 August 2014. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
  12. "Charlton vs. Colchester United". Sky Sports. Retrieved 12 August 2014.
  13. "Reds complete Joe Gomez transfer". Liverpool F.C. 20 June 2015. Retrieved 14 November 2017.
  14. "Joe Gomez: Liverpool sign Charlton defender for £3.5m". BBC Sport. 20 June 2015. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
  15. Hafez, Shamoon (9 August 2015). "Stoke 0–1 Liverpool". BBC Sport. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  16. Pearce, James (14 October 2015). "Liverpool injury shock as Joe Gomez set to miss rest of season with knee injury". Liverpool Echo.
  17. Doyle, Ian (14 October 2016). "Joe Gomez back in Liverpool training - and gets emotional round of applause from team-mates". Liverpool Echo.
  18. Kelly, Andy (13 November 2016). "Joe Gomez makes first Liverpool appearance in 13 months". Daily Mirror. London.
  19. "Liverpool 0–0 Plymouth Argyle". BBC Sport. 8 January 2017.
  20. "Liverpool 4-2 1899 Hoffenheim (agg 6-3)". BBC Sport. 23 August 2017. Retrieved 14 July 2018.
  21. "Liverpool 4-0 Arsenal: Player Ratings". This Is Anfield. 27 August 2017. Retrieved 14 July 2018.
  22. "Liverpool 0-0 Man United: Player Ratings". This Is Anfield. 14 October 2017. Retrieved 14 July 2018.
  23. "Who is Liverpool's first choice right-back? - LFC Transfer Room". LFC Transfer Room. 17 November 2017. Retrieved 14 July 2018.
  24. "Is Joe Gomez Becoming a Right-Back?". AnfieldIndex.com. Retrieved 14 July 2018.
  25. "Jürgen Klopp's injury update on Joe Gomez". Liverpool F.C. Retrieved 14 July 2018.
  26. "Joe Gomez injury update". Liverpool F.C. Retrieved 14 July 2018.
  27. "Games played by Joe Gomez in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 September 2018.
  28. "Leicester City 1-2 Liverpool: Player Ratings". This Is Anfield. 1 September 2018. Retrieved 8 September 2018.
  29. "Liverpool maintain 100% start with nervy win at Leicester". BBC Sport. 1 September 2018. Retrieved 8 September 2018.
  30. "Crystal Palace 0-2 Liverpool: Player Ratings". This Is Anfield. 20 August 2018. Retrieved 8 September 2018.
  31. Shread, Joe (4 February 2019). "Liverpool's Joe Gomez to undergo surgery on fractured leg". Sky Sports. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  32. "Liverpool beat Spurs to become champions of Europe for sixth time". BBC Sport. Retrieved 1 June 2019.
  33. "How Liverpool's young defensive admiral proved world class credentials with masterclass vs Everton". Liverpool F.C. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
  34. "Joe Gomez injury update". Liverpool FC. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
  35. "Virgil van Dijk", Wikipedia, 10 November 2020, retrieved 24 November 2020
  36. "FIFA will cover part of Gomez wages while he's out for Liverpool". OneFootball. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
  37. "Joe Gomez". The Football Association. Retrieved 12 August 2014.
  38. "2014 UEFA European Under-17 Championship: Technical report" (PDF). UEFA. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 September 2017.
  39. "England U21s squad named for USA and Norway fixtures". The Football Association. Retrieved 25 August 2015.
  40. "Gomez to captain U21s". The Football Association.
  41. "England: Tammy Abraham, Joe Gomez & Ruben Loftus-Cheek called up". BBC Sport. 2 November 2017. Retrieved 2 November 2017.
  42. McNulty, Phil (10 November 2017). "England 0–0 Germany". BBC Sport. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
  43. McNulty, Phil (14 November 2017). "England 0–0 Brazil". BBC Sport. Retrieved 14 November 2017.
  44. "Gomez unfazed about prospect of Liverpool bow in Stoke showdown". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  45. "Valley View: Jordan Cousins, Joe Gomez and Morgan Fox are unsung heroes of Charlton's turnaround". London24. Archant. 12 March 2015. Archived from the original on 17 June 2015. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  46. "Liverpool FC Joe Gomez Q&A: Charlton kid is "a ball-playing defender" in the Rio Ferdinand mould". Liverpool Echo. 15 June 2015. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  47. Hall, Joe (19 June 2015). "Joe Gomez: Why Liverpool have committed daylight robbery". MoreSport.com. Archived from the original on 8 September 2015.
  48. Roddy, Tom (12 November 2019). "Steve Avory: Joe Gomez is a competitor but he never lost his temper at Charlton Athletic" – via www.thetimes.co.uk.
  49. Owen, Danny (4 December 2019). "Report: Crystal Palace, Watford and Norwich want 18-goal Muhammadu Faal". HITC.
  50. "Games played by Joe Gomez in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
  51. "Games played by Joe Gomez in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
  52. "Games played by Joe Gomez in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
  53. "Games played by Joe Gomez in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 August 2019.
  54. "Games played by Joe Gomez in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
  55. "Games played by Joe Gomez in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 October 2020.
  56. "Gomez, Joe". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmerman. Retrieved 8 October 2020.
    McNulty, Phil (8 October 2020). "England 3–0 Wales". BBC Sport. Retrieved 8 October 2020.
  57. "Joseph Gomez: Overview". Premier League. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
  58. McNulty, Phil (1 June 2019). "Tottenham Hotspur 0–2 Liverpool". BBC Sport. Retrieved 1 June 2019.
  59. Rose, Gary (14 August 2019). "Liverpool 2–2 Chelsea". BBC Sport. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
  60. Poole, Harry (21 December 2019). "Liverpool 1–0 Flamengo". BBC Sport. Retrieved 21 December 2019.
  61. McNulty, Phil (9 June 2019). "Switzerland 0–0 England". BBC Sport. Retrieved 12 June 2019.
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