Darren Bent believes that Joe Gomez’s ‘inconsistent’ performances are having a negative effect on Virgil van Dijk, but has suggested that three new signings in the summer will see Liverpool back to their best next season.
Jurgen Klopp’s side have struggled to reach the levels they witnessed last season when the team were two games away from completing a glorious four-team and Tuesday’s 5-2 loss to Real Madrid has strengthened the calls for a series of new signings in the summer.
Gomez had a night to forget against the La Liga giants, while some also criticized the performance of our No. 4.
“He is [Van Dijk] obviously come back from this injury. Yes, he has made mistakes with Virgil, but he is still one of the best centre-backs in the world,” Bent explained on talkSPORT (via Rousing The Kop). “But when you put someone who is so inconsistent next to him and who lacks form, he has to work even harder to try to cover Joe Gomez.
“He [Gomez] It was frightening [against Real Madrid]. So it must make him incredibly nervous. Not only that, but the goalkeeper behind you, okay, I get it, he’s making saves, but he’s starting to make some more mistakes.”
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We started the match against Carlo Ancelotti’s team very well, but as soon as Vinicius scored for the visitors, we lost confidence and seemed nervous.
Our defense lacked aggressiveness, while our midfielders were extremely passive and didn’t help the defense at all and that’s why Bent believes that strengthening those areas is imperative if Liverpool are to return to their best.
“I think they need to get rid of some of them. If they bring in two midfielders and a central midfielder, I really think Liverpool will fight on all fronts again,” he added.
Jude Bellingham is the club’s main transfer target for the summer, but finishing in the top four could go a long way in determining whether or not the teenager opts to move to Anfield.
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