Liverpool defender Joe Gomez opens up about the emotional journey of returning to the England squad after a challenging period marked by a severe knee injury suffered during Three Lions duty in November 2020.
Gomez, 26, endured a season-ending knee injury during England training, which required surgery and sidelined him for the remainder of the 2020-2021 campaign. Reflecting on the psychological toll of the injury, Gomez acknowledges the difficult moments and the closure he feels upon reuniting with the England squad.
“Getting out in the warm-up, it was nice to close that chapter,” Gomez remarks, alluding to his return to England training ahead of their upcoming friendly against Brazil. He recalls the emotional turmoil of leaving the training pitch in an ambulance and the subsequent challenges of dealing with the injury.
Despite the setbacks, Gomez expresses gratitude for the opportunity to be back in the mix with the England squad, emphasizing the perspective gained from the experience. “At the time I was 22, being away for so long, naturally everyone gets older. You get a different outlook and perspective. You’ve got to be grateful to be here,” he reflects.
While Gomez’s focus remains on contributing to Liverpool’s ongoing campaign, where they are vying for success in the Premier League and Europa League, he remains grounded about his aspirations for the future. “I’m not thinking ahead that far,” he asserts regarding the possibility of featuring in England’s squad for the Euro 2024 tournament. Instead, Gomez emphasizes the importance of staying present and focusing on the tasks at hand, both with his club and the national team.
Acknowledging the impact of Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp on his career, Gomez expresses gratitude for the support received from the influential coach. “I owe a lot to him. He’s been the biggest influence in my career,” Gomez acknowledges, highlighting Klopp’s role in his development. Despite Klopp’s impending departure from Liverpool, Gomez remains committed to the team’s objectives and is determined to finish the season on a high note