Many supporters would agree Joe Gomez had a brilliant pre-season. The 18-year-old defender, who recently joined Liverpool from Charlton Athletic for £3.5m, believes he is ready to start against Stoke City this weekend if Brendan Rodgers selects him.
Gomez would most likely start at the left-back position, with Nathaniel Clyne taking the right-back spot.
Although he is new to the club, Gomez is confident he has the composure and ability to adapt to the Premier League right away.
He explained to the Liverpool Echo, “I always like to try and stay as relaxed as possible. I do obviously feel pressure but that mainly comes from myself and wanting to do well. And wanting to perform well for my friends and family who are always supporting me. I want to do them proud.”
Last season, Liverpool ended their disappointing campaign by getting smacked by Stoke City 6-1 at the Britannia Stadium.
Gomez remembers watching the match, and he believes Liverpool have put it behind them, saying, “I remember watching the highlights of that game on TV.
“I didn’t know at that point I’d be coming to Liverpool. I’d spoken to them but nothing was certain.
“It was an extraordinary result but there’s been a lot of changes to the squad since then.
“Everyone is up for it. I’m sure those who were involved in May will use it as motivation. After a good pre-season everyone is confident we can go there and get a result.
“Since I’ve been here that game hasn’t been talked about. Everyone is positive and looking forward to the game.”
Despite Gomez’s preference of playing centre-back, he has concluded that he will fill in wherever Rodgers desires. He has been exposed to both full-back positions in the pre-season, and he credits the coaching staff and players at Liverpool for helping him adjust: “Ideally, centre-back is my main position but I’m happy to play right-back or left-back if the manager believes I can help the team there.
“It’s been great for me to get experience playing all along the back four as that helps me to play in numerous positions. I’m happy to play wherever the manager needs me.
“Pre-season with all the travelling has been an amazing experience and something I’ve never been part of before.
“I’ve settled in really quickly and a lot of that is down to the manager, the staff and all my team-mates making me feel so welcome.”
Gomez is focused on Stoke now, no longer dwelling on his success in the pre-season. He is also excited to play alongside Liverpool’s two big money signings this summer, Christian Benteke and Roberto Firmino, since he did not get the chance in pre-season.
He continued, “It was nice to get selected against Helsinki but there’s still a long way to go and a lot of work to be done between now and Stoke.
“I just have to keep working hard to get in the team. That’s my aim to try and play at Stoke.
“If I do start then I’m confident in my ability and I’ll do my best to help the team.
“You could tell straightaway when (Benteke and Firmino) started training with us that they are two world class players.
“Their quality in the sessions was clear. They are two massive signings and they’ll help the team to do bigger and better things this season.”
Liverpool will travel to Stoke City on Sunday in their opening match of the 2015-16 Premier League season.
