22 Jan 2024 17:05:58
I'm asking for trouble now but. does anyone else think that Gomez holds down that LB spot for now even when Robertson is fit? I think it's working well so far, why change it?

1.) 22 Jan 2024
22 Jan 2024 17:15:15
It's a valid argument now which is saying something about how good Joe is playing right now.

Not for me personally though. I'm a massive Robertson fan.

But this inverted RB formation seems to work better with Joe.

Still Robertson for me though. He is just electric and going forward makes that left side lethal.

Man that was tough. Hard to choose between two players you love. And Tsimikas. Love him too. LB is covered to say the least.

2.) 22 Jan 2024
22 Jan 2024 18:08:18
As long as Robbo is available, the spot is his for me but at the same time, I completely agree with Davey, it is a tough one. Part of me thinks why change what's clearly working? Gomez has done incredible and we can't fault him but we're talking about Robbo here, he has to start when fit.

3.) 22 Jan 2024
22 Jan 2024 18:15:55
I thought the same thing during the Bournemouth game to be honest. Huge Robbo fan, but unless you're moving him to RB, I don't think you can drop Gomez from the team at the moment. The way the games have unfolded so far, it's not a stretch to imagine one for weekend games, one for midweek games, which, along with our front line, gives us the strongest lb combination in the league IMO.

4.) 22 Jan 2024
22 Jan 2024 18:51:33
I concur. Massive Robbo fan but he should have to fight for it and earn that place back from Gomez.

5.) 22 Jan 2024
22 Jan 2024 19:23:10
Robbo has been fantastic for us so this isn't a slating but I just felt we looked a bit weaker at the back earlier in the season than we do now, and that's coincided with Gomez playing really well. Good problem for the manager to have as the old cliche goes.

6.) 22 Jan 2024
22 Jan 2024 20:29:39
OP, the only good thing with Gomez playing lights out right now is that we don't have to rush Robbo back to play and even when he is fully fit and ready, Gomez should still keep his place cos at that point, he will be playing with a lot of confidence and momentum and it would be foolish to cut all that short suddenly.

7.) 22 Jan 2024
22 Jan 2024 20:29:50
Isn’t it great that we can debate this .
I can’t remember the last time we could have so many different opinions on who plays where when everyone is fit .

How far we have come.

8.) 22 Jan 2024
22 Jan 2024 20:43:13
Gomez has been so good this season. But I still feel, Diaz's game suffers from not having a left sided LB. Robertson still the first choice for me. But Joe has been nothing short of fantastic. The application has been first class.

9.) 22 Jan 2024
22 Jan 2024 21:32:09
Robbo is a genuine attacking outlet down that left hand side. Gomez much less so.
It's a tough one, but whatever happens I badly want to see Gomez get his first goal for the club. preferably with one of those long range efforts he seems to let go at least once in every game now.

10.) 22 Jan 2024
22 Jan 2024 21:47:55
Would defs keep playing Gomez. Lose a bit going forward but shores up the defence and arguably takes pressure off Trent defensively to allow him to go and play his game.
With Trent and Robbo bombing on it often leaves us exposed.

11.) 22 Jan 2024
22 Jan 2024 21:50:00
I think when Robbo is back we might see Gomez get more game time in the middle allowing Konate to have his game time managed.

12.) 23 Jan 2024
23 Jan 2024 01:16:56
Gomez keeps his place in the team, simple as that. Not only is the team winning (do not make unnecessary changes to a winning team), but Gomez is starting to look like the top class, brutal defender we hoped he’d become. He was excellent from 2018-2020, but was limited by his size at the time and age. Now, he’s bigger, stronger and more aggressive to go along with his defensive ability.

13.) 23 Jan 2024
23 Jan 2024 03:44:34
I'm with Oli on this though. Robbo would still be first choice at LB for me purely because that is his natural position unlike Gomez but, Gomez's form does mean that Robbo has more time to get up to speed and get used to the demands of playing again. There's now no urgency to rush players back from injury, which is a testament to how good our squad is at the moment.

14.) 23 Jan 2024
23 Jan 2024 04:05:40
I wouldn’t make changes to a winning team looks. Plus Gomez has been one of our star performers these last 8 weeks or so. Put him right back he perform, put him left back he performs. That’s pretty impressive by all accounts. It’s a tough one but Gomez stays left back for the time being. Trent has to come in because he is one of the main players in the side. So back four of Gomez, VVD, Konate and Trent for me. Gomez can always go right back later on in matches, Trent moves into midfield and Robbo goes left back. Klopp has pushed Trent into midfield in the latter stages of games, so it’s not a far fetched idea.

15.) 23 Jan 2024
23 Jan 2024 07:52:49
Really impressed with Gomez of late his confidence and energy has been awesome
Robbo will be so happy to be back soon fighting for his spot
Lucky to have healthy competition.

16.) 23 Jan 2024
23 Jan 2024 08:38:37
i Think Joe Gomez keeps the LB position until he at least scores YNWA.

17.) 23 Jan 2024
23 Jan 2024 08:55:59
First world problems, right Dhfc?

18.) 23 Jan 2024
23 Jan 2024 09:50:06
It just means we don't have to rush Robertson back doesn't it, so its a win win for everyone.

19.) 23 Jan 2024
23 Jan 2024 10:13:49
I personally don't believe in dropping a player who has been performing really well. I think robbo should be brought back in when form dips or injury hits. He won't be fully fit for a while anyway.

20.) 23 Jan 2024
23 Jan 2024 11:25:41
Honestly a great debate to have isn't it? Think, given the sheer number of games coming up that we could well see one play midweek and one at the weekend

Interesting too we could rotate as well depending on the opposition and what is needed in game - a more attacking outlet? Definitely Robbo, works very well with Diaz too. More defensive and the ability to drop in as a 3rd cb to let TAA go to midfield? Definitely Gomez.

Great option and debate to have though isn't it?

21.) 23 Jan 2024
23 Jan 2024 11:55:01
I personally believe that Joe should be kept at LB for the foreseeable.

I think he helps the inverted Trent role work better. My opinion only is that when Trent moves in and we go to the make shift back 3 Joe is a natural CB. Where as asking Robbo to move into a back 3 is a square peg in a round hole. We just look more assured defensively with Joe back there.

The tactical play of both wing back bombing on has developed into the new system. Which ultimately wouldn't suit Robbo.

I am glad i'm not Jurgen or Pep having to make such decisions.

{Ed025's Note - dont worry about the fullback position RedO, joe will be injured shortly mate...after all he has played about 5 games now so thats his season nearly over i expect.. :)

22.) 24 Jan 2024
24 Jan 2024 00:40:56
That's a but unfair on Joe though Ed. He does seem to be injury prone but a check on his injury history paints a different picture. While it does seem like he misses a lot of games due to injury, he basically only had two very significant periods where he was out due to major problems - first in 15/ 16 where he was out for 234 days due to cruciate ligament problems and the second in 20/ 21 where he was out for 231 days due to patellar tendon problems after reporting for England duty and being overplayed.

Since coming back from that, he has just missed 5 games due to injury. Fair point, his form was poor for the entirety of last season and he was out of the side because of that but to say that it was because of injuries would be incorrect.

{Ed025's Note - thats why i just love Liverpool supporters Drac, last season when he was not playing well the majority on here wanted shut of him, now he has come in and done a good job and is apparently "World class" now!, i actually think hes a decent player but a bit injury prone and can be inconsistent mate..