Defender 2
Joe Gomez joined Liverpool in the summer of 2015, after completing a move from his boyhood club, Charlton Athletic. Although injuries have slowed down his progress since joining the club, regardless, he is still one of Liverpool’s players with the most influence on and off the pitch.
Biography
Gomez was born on May 23rd, 1997, in Catford, Greater London, England. His father, Augustus “Gus” Gomez, is African, originally from Gambia, and his mother, Linda, is from England. Joe’s father played a crucial role in his football career, as he wanted his son to play for the Gambian side instead of England.
However, his series of injuries during his development at Charlton Athletic was a major reason he was not selected for the Gambian squad, as the club required injury insurance for the player’s welfare whenever he played for the nation.
Career
Joe Gomez’s football journey began at age 10 when he joined the Charlton Athletic academy, where he stood out as one of the young defenders with great potential. He progressed through the academy ranks, and at just 13 years old, he made his debut for the U18 side of the team.
As a young player, Gomez not only progressed on the club’s base alone; his brilliance on the ball earned him a spot with England’s U16, U17 and U18. In 2014, he helped England’s U17 side win the European Under-17 Championship in Malta.
In October 2014, Gomez signed his first official contract with Charlton Athletic at just 17 years old, just two months after making his senior debut for the club against Colchester United, a game that ended in a 4:0 victory for Charlton Athletic.
At the end of his first senior season for Charlton Athletic (2014/2015), he made 24 appearances for the club, where he was featured as both a right-back and a centre-back because of how well he makes crosses and his ability to stop attackers.
Liverpool signed Gomez from Charlton Athletic on June 20, 2015, for a transfer fee of £3.5 million, on a five-year contract. He arrived Anfield at just 18 years old, with just one season of professional football on his radar.
Gomez made his debut for Liverpool on August 9, 2015, in the club’s opening game of the season against Stock City, where he was used as a left-back instead of his natural position. He helped Liverpool score the only goal in the game, as he delivered an assist in the 86th minute to Countinho.
Two months after his debut for Liverpool, he suffered a serious ACL injury while representing England’s U21 side. The injury kept him out for one full year before he returned to training with the Reds on October 13, 2016.
The 2017/2018 season was Gomez’ redemption moment, as he made his European debut for Liverpool against Bundesliga club TSG Hoffenheim in the UEFA Champions League play-off that ended in a 4:2 victory for Liverpool.
He featured in more games during the season, helping Liverpool reach a high in both the Premier League and Champions League before sustaining an ankle injury during an international friendly. He underwent surgery, which cost him his place in the 2018 UEFA Champions League finals.
Liverpool established a defensive block with the Partnership of Joe Gomez and Virgil van Dijk, which helped them win;
UEFA Champions League (2019)
FIFA Club World Cup (2019)
Premier League (2019/20)
UEFA Super Cup (2019)
Despite his continued injury issues, he was a great asset to the club under the management of Jürgen Klopp, who understood how to utilise Gomez’s potential, playing from the centre-back position, right back, and even as a left back on some crucial occasions.
In the summer of 2022, Liverpool offered him a new 5-year contract and also a number switch from his iconic No 12 shirt to No 2.
Gomez struggled more with injuries under Arne Slot, which kept him out for almost throughtout the entire 2024/2025 season. He recorded just 9 Premier League appearances for Liverpool, who eventually won the League title the same season.
According to reports, Gomez revealed that he almost left Liverpool after the first half of the 2024/2025 season for Newcastle United, but he had a change of mind and stayed back at the club.
One of Gomez’s greatest strengths is his ability to play in several defensive positions. He is a natural right back but can also play as a right back and left back. This flexibility is what gives him value and influence in the Liverpool squad.
PROFILE
Full Name: Joseph David Gomez
Date of Birth: 23 May, 1997
Nationality: English
Position: Defender
Height: 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Current Club: Liverpool
Shirt Number: No. 2
Preferred Foot: Right
CLUB TROPHIES
| Honours | Year |
|---|---|
| Premier League | 2019/2020, 2024/2025 |
| Champions League | 2019 |
| FIFA Club World Cup | 2019 |
| FA Cup | 2022 |
| Carabao Cup | 2022, 2024 |
| UEFA Super Cup | 2019 |
| FA Community Shield | 2022 |
International Career
After his breakout at Charlton Athletic Academy, Gomez featured in the 2014 UEFA European U17 Championship, where he played all five (5) matches in the tournament and even helped the English side win the trophy. He was even named in the UEFA team of the tournament for the competition.
His first call-up to the English senior team came in 2017 after his incredible run with the U21 side. He made his senior debut on November 10, 2017, in a friendly game against Germany, where he came on as a substitute in the game that ended in a 0:0 draw.
