Forget Florian Wirtz: One ‘superb’ Liverpool star proved he must stay in the starting XI against West Ham.
With Arne Slot’s Liverpool desperate to build momentum after losing nine of their previous 12 games in all competitions, the defending Premier League champions travelled to London to face West Ham United. In a match short on real excitement, it was the visitors who came away with a comfortable 2-0 win — and many Liverpool supporters now believe one player has become “undroppable” after his standout performance.
Alexander Isak, who has endured a difficult start following his record transfer from Newcastle, finally scored his first league goal for Liverpool by firing past Alphonse Areola at the near post after excellent build-up play on the left. Cody Gakpo’s stoppage-time finish sealed the result and eased the tension among Slot’s squad. As the game drew to a close, Lucas Paquetá made things worse for West Ham when he was dismissed for repeatedly arguing with referee Darren England. Liverpool, now up to eighth in the Premier League, controlled the contest for long spells — and while Florian Wirtz impressed, another player stole plenty of attention.
Liverpool Star’s Impressive Showing vs West Ham
As mentioned, many Liverpool fans praised Wirtz for his lively display on the right, where he drifted inside and threatened goal constantly until being substituted. However, Joe Gomez was also one of Liverpool’s top performers.
Filling the right-back role — a problem position since Trent Alexander-Arnold departed in the summer — the England defender excelled both defensively and offensively. It was Gomez’s surging run and delivery from the right that set up Gakpo’s goal to make it 2-0.
The ex-Charlton man, capped 15 times for England, played the full 90 minutes in Liverpool’s first league win since November 1, completing 84% of his passes (32/38). He registered 63 touches, including three inside the West Ham penalty area. His six passes into the final third highlighted his attacking intent, while defensively he produced three interceptions, three recoveries, and two clearances.
With Alexander-Arnold gone, Slot has experimented with Jeremie Frimpong, Conor Bradley, and even Dominik Szoboszlai at right-back — but Gomez may now have pushed himself to the front of the queue.
Joe Gomez vs West Ham – Key Stats
Minutes: 90
Assists: 1
Touches: 63
Accurate Passes: 32/38 (84%)
Passes into Final Third: 6
Blocks: 1
Clearances: 2
Interceptions: 3
Overall Rating: 7.8
Fans Full of Praise for Gomez After Dominant Display
Gomez’s performance at the London Stadium has certainly given Slot and his staff a selection dilemma, with supporters eager to see him start regularly. “Joe Gomez has changed our lives today,” one fan wrote on X.
Another added: “What a performance from Gomez. If he’s fit, he should be our starting right-back from now on.” A third supporter questioned why he hasn’t featured more, while another said: “We’ve looked much more solid without Salah and with Gomez at right-back. The opposition wasn’t great, but there are positives.”
The praise continued: “Joe Gomez has been superb,” a fan posted, while someone else commented: “It might not technically be true, but that Gomez cross felt like the first time in ages a Liverpool right-back has burst down the line and whipped a ball in — usually it’s only Salah out wide.”
