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Danny Murphy says he’d drop Liverpool defender Gomez for Fabinho against Everton
Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy says he would consider playing Fabinho at centre-half against Everton following a shaky start to 2020/21 by Joe Gomez.
The Reds will be looking to respond in a big way to getting thumped 7-2 by Aston Villa before the international break, but they face Everton who have made a tremedous start.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side are top the table with maximum points from four games, and the match promises to be a lively affair.
Everton’s new free-scoring ways are an issue for Liverpool and after Gomez’s personal nightmare against Villa, Murphy says he would play Brazilian enforcer Fabinho at the back.
, he said: “I do not know Gomez’s character but from the outside, I would say it would be better for Liverpool if Fabinho partnered Virgil van Dijk for the derby, particularly as Klopp should have other strong options in midfield.
“The middle of a back four is such a crucial part of the pitch and particularly so for Liverpool on this occasion, because Everton’s main strength is their front three, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring every time he plays.”
Jurgen Klopp certainly has some thinking to do ahead of Saturday’s game.
TBR’s View – A headache for Klopp
The Aston Villa result was a night to forget for all at Liverpool, but Gomez’s display was especially worrying.
Barring the league game against Arsenal where he was brilliant, he has struggled so far in 2020/21, so it remains to be seen if Klopp drops him or gives him the chance to redeem himself.
It’s a precarious situation, but £100,000-a-week star Fabinho () is well capable of filling in if the manager decides Gomez’s form is too much of a risk right now.