Liverpool had an interesting 2021/22 season, to say the least. The Reds were in contention for an unprecedented ‘quadruple’ till the very last day of the Premier League season. However, it wasn’t as convincing as it sounds.
The squad looked unsettled in the latter half of the season due to the uncertainty over the future of key players. One of the key concerns for Jurgen Klopp last season was Liverpool’s ability to keep clean sheets. Liverpool conceded goals in crucial games which resulted in increased pressure on their forwards.
However, Jurgen Klopp has maintained that the club is secure about their defensive options. Joe Gomez played a part role in last season’s success as he often found himself on the bench. The Englishman came off the bench in most of his appearances.
The young defender has put pen to paper and signed a new five-year contract with Liverpool despite concerns surrounding the limited playing time. The defender has seen his playing time reduced in the past couple of seasons due to injury concerns. Gomez has struggled with major ankle and knee injuries in recent years.
Liverpool manager is pleased with the contract extension
Joe Gomez is one of the most used players since Klopp’s arrival in 2015. The English defender has represented the Merseyside club 142 times over the period of seven years at the club.
The Liverpool boss expressed his happiness while speaking about the contract extension and said:
“One of the many wonderful things about Joe is he has experience and youth – that’s not a bad combination. He has not long turned 25 but he was at the club before I was and I think after Hendo and Millie he is our longest-serving player. But the best thing of all is that his best years are still to come, and I could not be happier that this will happen with us.”
It is evident from the statement that Klopp sees Gomez as an important part of his project going forward. More importantly, Joe Gomez himself recognizes that the best years of his career are yet to come. The defender said:
“I still feel young and the best years are ahead of me. I have got more to learn and the time to do that. I think I have the platform here to do it with the manager and the coaching staff around me and my team-mates, to make sure the best years are ahead.”
Nonetheless, Liverpool would be hoping to stop Manchester City from winning a third-successive Premier League title and bring the coveted trophy back to Anfield for the second time in four years.
It will be an interesting Premier League season as all the major English clubs have strengthened in key areas. They will look to unsettle the clubs at the top of the table and stake a claim for the title in 2022/23.
