Joe Gomez has helped fix Liverpool's leaky defence

Liverpool‘s defence was not having an impact on their results but conceding far too often could have given Manchester City hope of closing the enormous gap in the Premier League title race.

But since Joe Gomez has won his place back alongside Virgil van Dijk in the heart of the defence, the Reds have become a tighter unit and look even more impenetrable.

We should not be surprised that the pair are flourishing. Gomez and Van Dijk were the league’s standout combination at the start of last season, playing together in 13 of Liverpool’s first 15 league matches.

Joe Gomez has been a standout performer in Liverpool’s last four Premier League victories

Alongside Virgil van Dijk, Gomez has helped the Reds keep four consecutive clean sheets

They conceded just four goals in those games together before a cruel ankle injury required surgery that kept the England star out of action until April. 

Gomez then struggled to win his place back from Joel Matip, who himself was playing exceptionally well and was a major reason the Reds won the Champions League and pushed City so close last season.

But an injury to the former Schalke man and Dejan Lovren’s unreliable fitness has presented Gomez with a chance to impress again.

Speaking during this run of games, he said: ‘You never want to prey on anyone’s downfall. I myself have been there with injuries and so on and I know it’s far from a nice place to be.

‘But it’s part and parcel of the game and it’s why we have to work hard when we’re not involved to be prepared.

‘On a personal note, it’s an opportunity but the main thing is trying to participate as best I can to perform for the team.’

He certainly has taken his chance. Gomez has now partnered Van Dijk in the last four Premier League games, helping the Reds to four victories and zero goals conceded. 

It will be a relief for manager Jurgen Klopp to have Gomez fit while others are out injured

Van Dijk and Gomez compliment each other perfectly. They are both physically strong and imposing, quick across the ground and capable of spraying passes into the feet of the front three. 

Gomez’s pace, arguably quicker than Van Dijk’s top speed, also means the Reds can player a higher defensive line and remain compact against the threat of a counter attack. 

Gomez has touched the ball 428 times in his last four matches, making 374 passes with an accuracy percentage of 88.5.

He has won four out of the five tackles attempted, completed eight interceptions and performed 11 clearances.

Gomez has also won 12 of his 21 aerial duels and 24 of his 41 duels on the ground.  

The 22-year-old is expected to keep his place for the visit of Sheffield United on January 2 and will be hoping for another clean sheet to add to his recent collection.