Former Liverpool defender Glen Johnson has urged head coach Andoni Iraola to give Joe Gomez the opportunity to prove he can be the answer to Liverpool's left-back problems this season.
The Reds have struggled for consistency in the position in recent months, with neither Milos Kerkez nor Kostas Tsimikas reaching anywhere near their best form. Kerkez has started all bar one Premier League game under Iraola, who he worked with at Bournemouth, while Tsimikas has primarily been used during midweek cup competitions.
With Liverpool facing a run of nine games in 28 days following the current international break, Iraola is expected to once again rotate heavily on the left side of defence.
Gomez seen as a defensive solution
Johnson believes versatile centre-back Gomez, who began his Reds career at left-back in 2015 and played a large part of the 2023/24 campaign there under Jurgen Klopp, can provide an alternative answer to the ongoing defensive headache without the need for reinforcements during the January transfer window.
"There is definitely an argument to give Joe Gomez game time at left-back," said Johnson. "We all know the inconsistencies that Milos Kerkez and Kostas Tsimikas have had this season, and I don't see why Gomez couldn't step in and do a better job than them both.
"He would bite the manager's arm off to get more first-team minutes in any position. I think he would solve the left-back issue for Liverpool."
"It would be easy for him to adjust to the position, as he has no desire to go forward, he would just shore up that side of the pitch. He could play there, be disciplined and defend, which is what Liverpool need," Johnson added. "He's not left-footed by any means, but you don't need to be if you're not overlapping and whipping the ball in. I think it's an obvious move for Iraola to give him a go at left-back soon."
Right-back concerns and midfield depth
Liverpool have also had issues on the opposite side of defence, with Conor Bradley recovering from a long-term knee injury and Jeremie Frimpong hampered by fitness and form problems.
Ronald Araujo, on loan from Barcelona, has been a regular makeshift option, and Johnson believes the impact of the Uruguayan means the Reds should resist the temptation to ask midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai to reprise the role he featured in for spells last season.
"The partnership Trey Nyoni has built with Alexis Mac Allister in the past few games in central midfield has been unbelievable," he said. "Nyoni looks fantastic and not out of place for such a young player.
"However, I also really like Dominik Szoboszlai, and I think he's far too good to be shoved to right-back just so he can be in the team. He's too good playing in midfield and further forward to be put back there. Also, I don't think Ronald Araujo has put a foot wrong this season, so pushing him out of the team would just be a mistake."
Speaking to SeatPick on behalf of the ECHO, Johnson added: "Liverpool need to just let the midfielders battle it out for their place in the team, and it's an absolute luxury that one of them has to miss out every game.
"That means they've got proper squad depth, which they will be thankful for when the fixtures get congested around Christmas and later in the season."
