Joe Gomez has spoken about the need to adapt to playing in new Liverpool position having been given shout-out by Jurgen Klopp after Fulham contribution
Trent Alexander-Arnold did more than just earn Liverpool a dramatic victory
His late strike to earn a 4-3 Premier League win over Fulham served also to intensify the debate over where the 25-year-old's long-term future should be for the Reds.
Trent having been influential in his usual inverted right-back role, scored after being shifted into a midfield role as part of a double pivot for the final half-hour
The tactical move from Jurgen Klopp - echoing the permanent one made by England boss Gareth Southgate - was facilitated by introducing from the bench Joe Gomez, who slotted into the position vacated by Alexander-Arnold.
Gomez's contribution in the hybrid role was namechecked by the Reds boss afterwards as a factor in Liverpool finally finding a way to drag themselves back into the match
Gomez had assisted Luis Diaz from right-back three days earlier to open the scoring in the Europa League stroll against LASK
Gomez recalls:
"It was surprising to do it as quickly as it happened for me,"
"But it's a case of constantly trying to learn and the manager helps me do that. He takes the pressure off at times by just giving me key points.
"Everyone knows Trent's ability to find passes is world class and I don't think I'm expected to do that. I don't need to do x, y and z, but for me finding that balance of understanding what my role is defensively is important.
"I need to understand what I need to do, to be the best version of me."
Asked what the most important aspect of adapting to the new role is,
Gomez says:
"Choosing when to transition. It's constant decision-making about when you can make an impact by coming inside, or when you aren't really an option, is it best to keep the width and have a flexible triangle on the outside?
"The one thing I took note of when I first played there at Wolves was the constant scanning and thinking where is best to position yourself.
"Then on the transition defensively as well, being mindful that the ball could turn over and you have to be in position to recover as well as support the attack. That's probably the hardest thing."
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