---
title: "Liverpool: Fans want Joe Gomez to start against Manchester United despite Joel Matip’s return"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/liverpool-fans-want-joe-gomez-to-start-against-manchester-united/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Nathan Linley"
section: "Liverpool Football Club"
published: "2020-01-15T20:10:42Z"
modified: "2020-01-15T20:10:42Z"
---

# Liverpool: Fans want Joe Gomez to start against Manchester United despite Joel Matip’s return

**Liverpool fans have pleaded for youngster Joe Gomez to start against Manchester United alongside the vital figure of Virgil van Dijk.**

The Englishman stepped in for Joel Matip after he picked up a knee injury during his side’s [1-1](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50030956) draw at Old Trafford in October and was praised for his performances alongside the Dutchman by captain Jordan Henderson, as per the [Mirror.](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/jordan-henderson-explains-joe-gomezs-21200066) Following on from this, the England international cemented his place in Jurgen Klopp’s side after he stepped into the 32-year-old’s shoes and has proved himself an important defender, as per the [Liverpool Echo](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/liverpool-gomez-van-dijk-captain-17533341). In the 12 Premier League games he has featured in, he managed to average 1.9 aerial battles won, 1.1 interceptions and a pass success rate of 89.3%, according to [Whoscored](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/136451/Show/Joe-Gomez).

> Who would you start against Man United, Reds? 🤔🔴 [#LFC](https://twitter.com/hashtag/LFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
>
> A.) 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Gomez\
> B.) 🇨🇲 Matip [pic.twitter.com/TNtk08fdQ4](https://t.co/TNtk08fdQ4)
>
> — Anfield Watch (@AnfieldWatch) [January 14, 2020](https://twitter.com/AnfieldWatch/status/1217108272144097280?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

Anfield Watch on Twitter (via [@AnfieldWatch](https://twitter.com/anfieldwatch/status/1217108272144097280?s=12)) posted a poll as to who should start between Gomez and Matip, and the former Charlton Atletic defender was heavily favoured. Liverpool’s No. 32 has put in some [good performances](https://soccersouls.com/why-liverpool-have-done-well-by-handing-joel-matip-a-new-contract/) this season and was described as “[understated](https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/joel-matip-liverpool-jurgen-klopp-virgil-van-dijk-joe-gomez-dejan-lovren)” following his [free transfer](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/feb/15/joel-matip-liverpool-schalke-transfer-signing) from Schalke in 2016. In comparison to the Englishman, he averaged 5.3 clearances and 1.7 tackles per game, as per [Whoscored](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/74341/Show/Joel-Matip). He also accumulated a pass success rate of [83.1%](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/74341/Show/Joel-Matip) in the seven Premier League games that he has played in during the current campaign.

Check out some of the best Twitter responses from Liverpool fans down below…

> Huge respect for big joel matip but gomez is too good to be dropped right now
>
> — somali kop 🇸🇴🇸🇴 (@somali\_kop) [January 14, 2020](https://twitter.com/somali_kop/status/1217116369772318721?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Gomez clean sheet after clean sheet him and Virgil should own a hotel together… clean sheets all day long
>
> — Kevani (@KevaniLFC) [January 14, 2020](https://twitter.com/KevaniLFC/status/1217113560494616579?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Gomez obviously. Why don’t you make it a poll by the way?
>
> — Kobby Talks! (@mka\_ampiah) [January 14, 2020](https://twitter.com/mka_ampiah/status/1217108731252629504?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Gomez don’t change anything
>
> — FalseNineRole (@JKetic1) [January 14, 2020](https://twitter.com/JKetic1/status/1217109123566841857?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Joe Gomez. England’s best CB. [pic.twitter.com/bb8sB3icxf](https://t.co/bb8sB3icxf)
>
> — LFC\_Harrsion6 (@LFC\_HJC186) [January 14, 2020](https://twitter.com/LFC_HJC186/status/1217109022823743488?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Gomez obviously. We’ve conceded 1 goal in our last 10 games with him in the team, why on earth would we change it?
>
> — LFC (@xMCRx13) [January 14, 2020](https://twitter.com/xMCRx13/status/1217118634285436928?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

***Liverpool fans! Do you think Joe Gomez should start against Manchester United? Join the discussion by commenting below…***