18 Oct 2020 14:45:25
Maybe with Virgil being out you just might see Joe really stepping up, not the 1st time it's happened.

18 Oct 2020 15:33:42
When he’s stepped up VVD has always been there. Fingers crossed though.

18 Oct 2020 15:41:47
Think people forget Gomez is still just 23 years old.

When VVD was 23 he was playing in Scotland 🤔.

18 Oct 2020 15:52:52
amen, people need to chill out with their gomez bias. like you said he is 23!

18 Oct 2020 16:03:51
Yes 23 and a first team regular with Liverpool Premier league Champions so yes he can do, have faith lad's.

18 Oct 2020 16:22:58
That’s true, Gomez is only 23 years old and that’s a puppy in terms of being a defender. I’m guilty of forgetting his age at times and although he is going through a dip in form he has demonstrated how good he can be in the past. Once Allison is back I am confident with Matip and Gomez In defence until VVD is back.

18 Oct 2020 16:31:14
I’ve got every confidence in Gomez and Matip. My only worry is keeping them both fit and who steps in to give them a rest when needed or if they are injured. The return of Allison will be massive for the team as well.

18 Oct 2020 16:36:20
I 2nd that Alonso.

18 Oct 2020 17:10:10
The problem is Gomez is good but it’s VVD who adds the physical and aerial presence he lacks. I sincerely hope that VVD is back soon or I’m concerned it will really damage our chances.

18 Oct 2020 18:01:54
VVD to have surgery. No timeframe as of yet.

18 Oct 2020 18:11:52
By common consent VvD is one of the world’s top players and possibly the best defender, so I’d say his absence would damage our chances yes.

18 Oct 2020 18:21:26
The thing to note is that VVD has played every minute of every premier league game for us since Jan 2018 so this is the first time we will be without him. It’s going to be a huge step up but a huge opportunity for Matip, Gomez and maybe some of the youngsters.

18 Oct 2020 18:48:42
JK you are spot on. When you lose the world's best CB to an injury like that they are going to be missed. But let's bot forget that's 96 games where VVD has been teaching one of gomes or matip what he does.

To be fair, last season both matip and gomes were emence playing alongside vvd, sometimes played better than the man himself, so now they just need to do it together.

They are both really good players and will have fabinho to protect them. It will all be fine.

My main concern is when alisson will be back. We can live without vvd but alisson is the key in that defence. And although I think Adrian is a good keeper, he is so low on confidence at the moment. I do believe he should have done better for both goals yesterday and a confident Adrian would have saved at least one of them.

So rather than saying its all doom and gloom there are 3 players who we need to give a confidence boost to, who we are relying on getting us through this sticky patch so let's get behind our lads and support them through thick and thin.

Remember YNWA.

18 Oct 2020 19:58:01
I'd take van Dijk on his own, playing on one leg instead of relying on them two! Haha.

18 Oct 2020 20:20:38
Andyj570, Have no fear, man. Big Al should be back very soon as he was seen in training on Fri. even tho, it may just have been part of his Rehab session. He should be back in a couple of weeks, hopefully. Having him back will be tremendous for the defence cos they can just focus on playing their game cos they know he will protect them.

As for Gomez and Matip, if we can keep those guys fit, tweak our system to accommodate their strengths as in not playing such a high line and making sure our press is pot on and make us more compact to penetrate, we can hold the line till Jan and we can re-assess the situation again. Just my take.

18 Oct 2020 20:38:17
And use the youngsters as well RM.

18 Oct 2020 21:46:55
Rigsby well, VVD does not have either of his legs so you are going to have to learn to rely on those two.