Liverpool travelled to the London Stadium knowing the pressure on them had never been heavier. After losing nine of their previous twelve matches, questions were growing louder about Arne Slot’s leadership and the team’s overall direction.
The clash with West Ham United felt like a defining moment in their season — a point where things would either deteriorate further or finally turn around. In the end, Liverpool responded with a composed and much-needed 2–0 victory, and one of the standout figures on the day was Joe Gomez, making his first Premier League start in almost a year.
Gomez embraced the moment with maturity, fully aware of how significant his return was not only for himself but also for the squad during a difficult period. Reflecting on his performance and the match overall, he said the experience meant a great deal. He recalled that the London Stadium was where he suffered his first major injury, adding emotional weight to his comeback.
He went on to explain that he works tirelessly to remain available for selection and contribute to the team whenever called upon. What mattered most, he emphasized, was unity — sticking together through a demanding schedule filled with consecutive fixtures.
Against West Ham, Gomez’s assured display at right back gave Liverpool a sense of defensive stability that had been missing during their slump.
He completed the entire match with composure, handled difficult defensive moments effectively, and capped off his performance by providing the assist for Cody Gakpo’s late goal, which sealed the result. With Alexander Isak also getting on the scoresheet, Liverpool finally showed the precision and ruthlessness that had eluded them in recent weeks.
Gomez also revealed that Liverpool had deliberately shifted their tactical approach. After several problematic games, the team placed greater emphasis on defensive organization.
He stressed that Liverpool’s quality had never faded, but the group needed to re-establish a strong foundation at the back. Keeping a clean sheet and maintaining structural discipline were priorities, as the attacking talent would naturally produce chances.
Slot’s team operated with better spacing between lines and avoided the risky, highly expansive patterns that had previously left them exposed. Gomez acknowledged this change openly, saying that while Liverpool enjoy playing with fluid combinations and attacking patterns, finding balance — especially away from home — is crucial.
This more measured, pragmatic style may not define Liverpool’s long-term identity under Slot, but it was exactly what the moment demanded: stability, control, and calm.
As one of the senior players, Gomez understands better than most how quickly things can shift at Liverpool.
He admitted the past few weeks had been challenging for everyone, though the newer players may have experienced the pressure differently. With such high expectations surrounding the club, players must carry the weight of the badge and give everything for it. In the dressing room, Gomez focused on maintaining positivity, setting standards in training, and encouraging the younger players to keep pushing.
That sense of togetherness, he believes, will play a vital role in guiding Liverpool through turbulent periods.
