Joe Gomez says he's had to wait 'longer than he would have hoped' for his first start in the Premier League since November 2020.
The defender started at right back in place of Trent Alexander-Arnold in the 3-1 win over Norwich City at Anfield on Saturday afternoon.
It was his 13th appearance of the season for the Reds, but prior to yesterday's game, he'd played just 15 minutes in the league as he was restricted to action from the bench.
After recovering from a long-term injury last season, Gomez is yet to reclaim his spot in the starting line-up with both Joel Matip and Ibrahima Konate above him in the pecking order - but lining up for Liverpool in the Premier League once again is something that had been a long time coming.
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“Obviously it’s been a moment I’ve thought about for a long time,” Gomez told Liverpoolfc.com.
“I’ve had to wait longer than I would have hoped, but at the end of the day I’ve had to keep working and be the best member of the squad I can be, pushing the lads and doing my bit as well away from the pitch to try and be ready physically and mentally.
“So yeah, it does mean a lot.”
The start didn't come in his favoured position in the heart of Liverpool's defence, but he offered Trent Alexander-Arnold some much needed rest on the right flank as the 23-year-old has played over 2,000 minutes of football already this season.
With tough boots to fill, Gomez admitted he 'had to play to his own strengths' in Alexander-Arnold's absence.
"That’s the thing," he added. "Obviously, I think Trent is in a world of his own and I’m not Trent, especially not at full-back.
"I think you have to come in with that mindset that you have to do what you do, and I don’t think the gaffer expects that [to emulate Alexander-Arnold].
"Trent is a real playmaker for us and that sort of player in the team, but I have to believe in my own attributes and my own strengths and try and play to that.
"It would be easy to get caught up in that mentality and try and go above and beyond and do something that’s maybe not me.
"I guess it’s all mindset and preparation but that’s what the gaffer is there for and the coaching staff, and they help steer us in that direction to do what’s best for us and for the team."
