Danny Higginbotham: Joe Gomez will star for England – the Liverpool defender has got the lot
SunSport columnist Danny Higginbotham says Three Lions will benefit from defender Gomez learning the ropes under Jurgen Klopp at Anfield
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JOE GOMEZ will take to this England team like a duck to water.
He was desperately unlucky that injury wrecked his World Cup dream but has started the season superbly.
Quick, strong, good on the ball and versatile, the Liverpool defender has the lot.
Gomez, 21, has a great chance to cement a place in Gareth Southgate’s side and if he doesn’t start tonight, he’ll be a regular soon.
The biggest thing in his favour is just how familiar it will all feel to him. He has been involved in the England set-up before, picking up three caps.
But more than anything, he will benefit from how his club side, Liverpool, play.
Under boss Jurgen Klopp centre-backs are encouraged to step out with the ball to create problems for the opposing midfield — something England chief Southgate wants to achieve.
As a nation we are getting more comfortable in possession and have Pep Guardiola, Mauricio Pochettino and Klopp to thank.
Their teams play out from the back, control the ball, but can also play on the counter.
This flexibility is enabling the players to grow and is rubbing off on England.
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The best teams’ players can move fluidly between whatever system Southgate chooses.
These days it does not matter if it is three or four at the back, whether it is possession or counter attacking based.
We now have a national team playing like their domestic teams — something unprecedented in the last 20 years. All of our defenders are comfortable playing out from the back, in a three or four.
Eric Dier and Jordan Henderson are used to sitting in and covering when one of the centre-backs steps up with their clubs. Kieran Trippier, Kyle Walker, Luke Shaw and Danny Rose all naturally play like wingers.
Jesse Lingard and Dele Alli are asked by Southgate to get beyond the centre-forward, something they do every week.
But both are also good at dropping a bit deeper and supporting the front man.
And in Harry Kane, England have a complete striker who is just as adept at dropping deep as he is leading the line.
Southgate is now in the best position an England boss has been for years.
His big calls have paid off and the squad has 14 players 25 years old or younger — England should reap the benefits for the next three tournaments.
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