Liverpool fans have turned on Joe Gomez after a shaky cameo in the Reds’ wild 4-3 Champions League win over Villarreal at Anfield. 😬
Liverpool took the three points in a thriller, but Gomez, who replaced Jeremy Jacquet in the 74th minute, came away with his reputation dented. Supporters questioned his defending and whether he still has a future at the club.
The night started badly for the Reds. A costly error from Virgil van Dijk let Georges Mikautadze score in the fourth minute, and Sergi Cardona soon made it 2-0 to the visitors. Alexis Mac Allister cut the deficit before Ronald Araujo levelled in first-half stoppage time. Mac Allister then added his second after the break, and substitute Florian Wirtz netted what looked like the decisive fourth.
Tani Oluwaseyi’s strike in the 87th minute set up a tense finish, and Gomez was involved in the build-up to that goal. That drew heavy fire online. Some fans said they were fed up with his defending, others declared him finished, and a few even called for him to be moved on at season’s end.
The timing is awkward for the 29-year-old, whose contract is reportedly entering its final year. Despite more than a decade at Anfield, he has struggled to become a regular starter, and Jacquet’s strong form adds to the competition for places in central defence.
Gomez has played 279 times for Liverpool since joining from Charlton Athletic, and he has been part of squads that won the Premier League and the Champions League. His ability to cover centre-back and both full-back spots still counts for plenty, but doubts about his consistency and limited minutes keep the speculation about his future alive.
It’s unclear whether the club will consider selling him, and one poor outing doesn’t settle his future. Still, he will need to show the coaching staff he remains a useful option.
