Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Liverpool, Virgil Van Dijk, Joe Gomez
Matthew Holt
Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk has praised fellow team-mate Joe Gomez's recent performances, adding how he knew the 26-year-old was a shoo-in for an England call-up.
Gomez has made a total of 40 appearances for the Reds so far this season and has been a consistent contributor under Jurgen Klopp.
Forced to play at both centre-back and full-back, the former Charlton man is set to join up with Gareth Southgate's squad for the upcoming internationals against Brazil and Belgium.
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Van Dijk, who has played alongside Gomez ever since his arrival back in 2018, recently told the media how he was more than confident his defensive partner would be included in the latest Three Lions squad.
“I'm very happy for him." Van Dijk said.
"To be honest me and Ibou (Konate) have been saying for quite a while he definitely shouldn't book any holidays in this international period as he will definitely be in [the England squad].
"Still, it's been such a long time for him, the work he has put in day in, day out - him and his family - not many people see but he has been outstanding the whole season already and I'm delighted.
"Let him get his chance and then he will show he should stay in the squad."
Currently standing as Liverpool's longest-standing player at present, Gomez has enjoyed large-scale success this term and Van Dijk believes having extra faith in yourself can go along way in football.
“I think it's a bit of everything: playing more helps, of course, but the confidence he plays with as well in any position across the back line and a couple of games as a holding midfielder.
"Staying fit but it also starts with playing and having the confidence.
"He's doing great, he's a fantastic player and I've been very close with him.
“I think we always want to play. We all became football players to play the game and play at the absolutely highest level and Sunday (against Manchester United in the FA Cup) will be another nice game to be involved in and a tough game.
"We always have a difficult games against them and I expect a difficult one on Sunday as well."