With Arne Slot’s Liverpool looking to gain some momentum after losing nine of their previous 12 outings in all competitions, the reigning champions of the Premier Leaguetravelled to face West Ham United in the capital. In what was a largely uneventful match-up, it was the visitors who reigned victorious in a 2-0 victory – and the Anfield faithful believe one star is now ‘undroppable’ after his strong display.
Alexander Isak – who has struggled since his record-breaking summer move from Newcastle United – broke his Premier League duck at Liverpool, slotting his effort past Alphonse Areola’s near post after some brilliant work from the Reds down the left-hand side. Cody Gakpo’s 93rd-minute strike gave Slot‘s men a huge, collective sigh of relief.
With the clock ticking closer to 90 minutes, Lucas Paqueta only worsened things for the home side by getting sent off for relentlessly moaning at referee Darren England. The Reds, who are now eighth in the 2025/26 Premier League table, were in cruise control for the majority of the match – and fans, ignoring Florian Wirtz’s brilliant performance, have picked another out.
Inside Liverpool Ace’s Brilliant Performance vs West Ham
As mentioned, a large chunk of the Anfield faithful – after a win which will certainly ease the pressure on the shoulders of Slot and goalscorer Isak – were quick to praise the brilliance of Wirtz, who floated on the right and burst inside to offer a goal threat from kick-off until he was substituted. But Joe Gomez, too, was among Liverpool’s best performing players.
Occupying the right-back berth, an unsettled position for the Reds since Trent Alexander-Arnold’s summer departure, the Englishman was not only defensively solid – but his impact going forward was noticeable. It was Gomez who burst up the right flank and delivered a ball into the box for Gakpo, who doubled Liverpool’s lead late on.
Formerly of Charlton Athletic, the 15-cap England international played all 90 minutes of Liverpool’s first win in the Premier League since November 1 and 84% (32/38) of his passes were accurate – with his statistics backing up his formidable display on the right.
Elsewhere, he took 63 touches of the ball – three of which were inside West Ham’s box – as Liverpool returned to winning ways. Six of his passes were into the final third, evidencing his ability to be a threat going forward. Defensively reliable, too, Gomez chalked up three interceptions and recoveries apiece alongside two clearances.
Alexander-Arnold’s departure in the summer months has seen Slot short-changed in the right-back position. Jeremie Frimpong was signed to replace the Englishman; Conor Bradley has played there, while Dominik Szoboszlai (a central midfielder by trade) has also been trialled there – but Gomez may have now propelled himself up the pecking order.
Joe Gomez’s Statistics vs West Ham Utd
Minutes
90
Assists
1
Touches
63
Accurate Passes
32/28 (84%)
Passes into Final Third
6
Blocks
1
Clearances
2
Interceptions
3
Overall Rating
7.8
Gomez’s Performance Hasn’t Gone Unnoticed as Reds Fans Laud Englishman
There’s no doubt that Gomez’s display at the London Stadium has given Slot – widely regarded as one of the best managers in world football – and his entourage a headache. That is certainly the case given the fans are keen to see him start more often than not. “Joe Gomez has changed our lives today,” one said on X (formerly Twitter) after his performance.
“What a performance by Gomez so far for us aswell. If he’s fit, he should be our starting right-back from now on,” another said while waxing lyical about the Englishman, who has incredibly never found the back of the net in Liverpool colours.
“Joe Gomez is just reminding us that he was a RB first before CB. He has held width very well and has delivered some good balls into the box.”
“Have absolutely no idea why Gomez hasn’t played more than he has done based on this first half,” another added as a fifth fan said: “We’ve looked a lot more solid without Salah and Gomez at right-back. Granted the opposition isn’t great, but need to take the positives.”
“Joe Gomez has been superb btw,” one said as another member of the Anfield faithful added: “It obviously won’t be factually correct, but that Joe Gomez cross felt like the first time in AGES our right-back has bombed down the line and put a cross in… it’s usually only Salah out there.”