BARLOW: Joe Gomez's versatility should put him firmly in Southgate's thinking
Joe Gomez has not been in an England squad since the autumn of 2020 and his last taste of international duty was not too sweet.
Training at St George’s Park ahead of a friendly against the Republic of Ireland, Gomez suffered a serious knee injury, snapping a tendon as he simply passed the ball.
It was a freakish accident but kept him out for nine months after surgery and, by the time he was fit to play again for Liverpool, Gareth Southgate had forged the squad that made the final of the Euros against Italy, in 2021.
Breaking into the England team since then has been more difficult. Southgate remained loyal to those he came to trust during that campaign and the World Cup in Qatar.
Defensive options are suddenly sparse, however, as he selects his final squad before the one he will take to Euro 2024 in the summer and injuries have given rise to a theory it might be time to promote Jarrad Branthwaite from the Under-21s.
Branthwaite has excelled in a breakthrough season at Everton. He is physically imposing, swift and left-sided, which works in his favour as a direct replacement for the role recently occupied by Marc Guehi, Harry Maguire and Tyrone Mings.
He has a strong case but Gomez, too, must come into Southgate’s thinking. He is playing regularly and performing well at the very top of the Premier League where there is pressure and expectation to win trophies.
Liverpool embrace possession just as England will have to do at the Euros. They play with risk under Jurgen Klopp, who expect his defenders to be capable on the ball and leaves them with huge areas to patrol.
These qualities in Gomez prompted an enquiry from Tottenham in January.
Beyond this, he is genuinely versatile, which helps Klopp flex style and shape without making
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