Joe Gomez closes ‘tough’ chapter in returning to England fold after 3 1/2-year absence

The last time Joe Gomez was on a practice field on England duty, he was being carried into an ambulance and driven to the hospital after rupturing the patellar tendon in his left knee during a training session. It’s meant a lot just to be in the mix and to be with the boys again.” Gomez has forced his way back into England coach Gareth Southgate’s thinking because of some consistent displays for Liverpool in a number of positions. A key part of the team that won the Premier League in 2020, Gomez learned plenty playing at center back alongside the indomitable Virgil van Dijk but has featured this season at left back, right back and even as a holding midfielder amid an injury crisis in Jurgen Klopp’s squad. After a strong display by Gomez in a recent match against Manchester City in the Premier League, Klopp suggested Southgate might want to call on a player back in top form. Gareth, honestly!” said Klopp, who a few days earlier had said: “I’m not standing here telling Gareth who he should pick but you can get one player and have four positions covered.