Football
Mike Whalley 9y

Liverpool defender Gomez unfazed by prospect of debut at Stoke

Joe Gomez has said he has no fears about making his Premier League debut when Liverpool visit Stoke on Sunday.

Gomez, 18, is in contention to start at left-back after impressing manager Brendan Rodgers in preseason.

He had made only 24 senior appearances for his first club Charlton, who are in the Championship, when Liverpool bought him for £3.5 million in June.

Rodgers is considering whether the England under-19 international is a better option in the full-back role than Alberto Moreno as his side return to the scene of their 6-1 humiliation of last season.

Moreno played poorly and was substituted at half-time in what was the club's heaviest defeat for 52 years.

Gomez impressed as the Reds won 2-0 away to Finnish side HJK Helsinki in a friendly on Saturday, and told the Liverpool Echo: "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 to play at Stoke. If I do start, then I'm confident in my ability and I'll do my best to help the team.

"I always like to try to 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."

Gomez, who said his favoured role is in central defence, has played in both full-back positions during Liverpool's preseason games.

He added: "I'm happy to play wherever the manager needs me. 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."

Speaking about the result at the Britannia Stadium last season, Gomez said: "It was extraordinary, but there have 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. Everyone is positive and looking forward to the game."

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