---
title: "Gomez set to start for England against Spain"
canonical: "https://readliverpoolfc.com/articles/feature-writers/gomez-set-to-start-for-england-against-spain/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Elliott Cuff"
section: "Feature Writers"
published: "2018-09-07T21:48:22Z"
modified: "2018-09-07T21:48:22Z"
---

# Gomez set to start for England against Spain

Liverpool defender Joe Gomez is set to start his first competitive game for England in their opening Nations League game against Spain on Saturday, lining up as part of Gareth Southgate’s three-man defence.

Southgate is keen to continue with the 3-5-2 formation that worked so well in the World Cup last summer.

While it is unclear who will partner Gomez at the heart of defence, Luke Shaw is expected to line up at left wing-back ahead of Danny Rose.

Gomez’ spot is reward for what has been a fantastic start to the season, with the 21-year old having started every game in the Premier League so far, helping Liverpool to four wins from four.

![Shaun Botterill/Getty Images Sport](https://cdn.readeverything.co/readliverpoolfc/2018/09/1025778898-1.jpg)

Gomez had been tipped to feature heavily for England at the World Cup, before a serious ankle injury sustained in May caused him to miss the final few games of the season for the Reds, as well as the whole summer tournament.

Southgate, as well as Gomez himself, will be hoping to see the former Charlton Athletic man excel with the opportunity.

Talking about how highly he rates Gomez, as reported by [The Telegraph](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2018/09/07/joe-gomez-poised-start-against-spain-englandsthree-man-defence/), Southgate said:

> Joe is no surprise to us. I’ve worked with him since he was 17 and he has been an excellent defender through our system. He was one of our best defenders against Brazil (when he made his full debut in Nov 2017). It’s great he is getting to play at centre-back for Liverpool. It’s definitely a good moment for him.