England and right-backs - two topics that've gone hand-in-hand in recent years.
Whether Gareth Southgate has two many right-backs or not enough, the position is a constant talking point in the press. Right now, the discussion is focusing on worrying injuries to Reece James and Kyle Walker - two player who are guaranteed to be picked when fit.
James has suffered a knee injury and is almost certain to miss this year's World Cup in Qatar, and Walker is in a race to be fit for the tournament after undergoing a groin operation. Southgate will be hoping Kieran Tripper and Trent Alexander-Arnold stay fit.
While Trippier and Alexander-Arnold are known for being out-and-out full-backs, James and Walker are more versatile. They can play on the right of a back three, which is fortunate because Southgate loves to play that system. It's the one that helped England reach the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup and the final of Euro 2020.
If they are unavailable, Southgate needs a defender who can play at right-back and centre-back. Fortunately for the England manager, Liverpool man Joe Gomez has produced two timely performances to remind Southgate that he can be trusted in big games.
Gomez, 25, was signed by Liverpool in the summer of 2015 as a highly-regarded teenager. Frustratingly, his career hasn't panned out as hoped. Serious injuries have restricted him to just 94 Premier League appearances, and he hasn't played for England since 2020.
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When he's fit, though, there's no doubting his quality. Gomez has shown that over the last week, starting with his superb display at right-back against Rangers last Wednesday. He produced a brilliant cross to set up Roberto Fimino's second goal in the 7-1 win at Ibrox.
Gomez followed that up by keeping Erling Haaland in his back pocket during the 1-0 win against Manchester City on Sunday. He was named as the Player of the Match for stopping the Norwegian from scoring. Before Sunday, Haaland had 20 goals in 13 games this term.
"That’s my man of the match, Joe Gomez," said Gary Neville on commentary. Gomez has reiterated his ability and versatility, and Jurgen Klopp has given Southgate a priceless defensive option by continuing to stand by the injury-stricken star throughout the years.
"Joe is an outstanding talent," Klopp told Liverpool's website in July. "He is also an outstanding defender and an outstanding human being. He has so many qualities, I could talk about them all day... But the best thing of all is that his best years are still to come."
There's no guarantee Southgate will select Gomez for the World Cup, with the likes of James Justin, Ben White and Kyle Walker-Peters also pushing for a spot amid the injuries. Yet his recent displays will have reassured Southgate that he doesn't necessarily need his regulars to be fit to be successful in Qatar.
If Gomez can produce outstanding performances in the Champions League and against City - arguably the best team on the planet right now - then he can do a job for England at the World Cup. We'll continue talking about right-backs for a while yet, but Gomez is back in the conversation after two years in the international wilderness.
