The last time I trained with England I left by ambulance… now I’m back, says Gomez
MEMORIES came flooding back for Joe Gomez at St George’s Park this week – and none of them were particularly kind.
Understandably, the Liverpool defender was incredibly worried as he returned to Sir Bobby Charlton’s training ground at the national football centre.
5
The last time he kicked a ball here, in November 2020, Gomez suffered a horrific knee injury that saw him loaded into an ambulance and taken to hospital for emergency surgery.
Gomez was ruled out for nine months but it is only now, almost three and a half years later and thanks to his good form on Merseyside in various positions, that the south Londoner has truly rediscovered the form he enjoyed before disaster struck.
When you consider that it was also at the St George’s Park restaurant where he was involved in an altercation with Raheem Sterling in 2019, you can see why this place has a negative vibe for him.
But perhaps this could be the Anfield star’s new happy place.
The 26-year-old certainly has a chance to secure a place in Gareth Southgate’s 23-man squad for Euro 2024.
Gomez hopes to complete his eleven international matches at home against Brazil on Saturday.
The injury to his left patellar tendon in 2020 was the FOURTH serious setback in his career, after a KO of the anterior cruciate ligament of the knee, a damaged Achilles tendon and a broken leg.
And Gomez said: “The last time I saw Gareth here I was lying in bed waiting for the ambulance.
“It was tough and it’s a big part of my journey that I don’t shy away from.
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
“We were playing an 11 versus 11 match when I got the injury. It was quite unique: it was a patellar tendon rupture.
“I was alone. I was just going to play a pass. I planted my foot and then. . . it tore.
“It was quite horrific. My kneecap was halfway down my leg.
“A lot of it is blurry because it was a little painful. From then on it was a big part of my life, probably the most difficult point in my career, because of the way it happened.
“I moved past it and a big part of my application and my motivation comes from working to get back.
“I don’t want to lose that because it’s made me who I am. It’s definitely changed my application in terms of everything: recovery, working in the gym and so on. I’m at peace with what happened.
The last time I saw Gareth here, I was lying in bed waiting for the ambulance.
Joe Gomes
“I’d be lying if I said it didn’t take a psychological toll as I left here quite abruptly in an ambulance from the training ground.”
Asked about the emotions swirling in his head as he stepped onto that same training pitch again on Tuesday, he said: “From the outside, obviously no one had realised, but it was a bit surreal.
“I think there was of course an underlying trauma that I can now draw a line under.
“So even though I was warming up on that field, it was nice to feel like I could close that chapter.
Joe Gomez: Angry so testing
JOE GOMEZ says he is looking forward to returning to Wembley with England despite being booed during his last appearance in front of Three Lions fans.
The Liverpool defender was left shocked and upset after being booed as a substitute against Montenegro on November 14, 2019.
Three days earlier he had suffered an eye injury after a clash with Raheem Sterling at the English hotel – and this came 24 hours after the pair had a failure in a match between Liverpool and Manchester City.
Asked about the booing, Gomez said: “It was testing. You never want this to happen in front of your own audience. It was a scenario that I moved on from.
“I didn’t delve too deeply into it or let it consume me too much. I understood it. Obviously it wasn’t great. I’d be lying if I said otherwise. But it is what it is. Part of football.
“I’m looking forward to being in front of the fans and playing again. Wembley is such a special stadium.”
Sterling had collided with Gomez at Anfield in the Reds’ 3-1 win over his former club City.
Tempers flared again the next day as the pair joined international duty, although Gomez attempted to shake hands with the 6ft 4in Sterling from behind.
Winger Sterling then asked the 6ft 1in defender if he was “still the big man” and the pair tussled with each other.
Gomez received three more international matches, but they were all played behind closed doors due to Covid.
Despite his impressive club form this season, the centre-back did not expect to be in the squad for the friendlies against Brazil and Belgium and would go on holiday to Dubai.
5
“Everyone gets injured, that’s part of the game, but because it happened so suddenly and never had a chance to come back, it was difficult to deal with.
“It meant a lot to be in the mix, be with the guys and close that chapter.
“So yeah, it played a big role in my thoughts and gave me an appreciation for being here and a different perspective because I know the downside and how difficult that can be. It is a privilege to be here.”
This season, Anfield boss Jurgen Klopp has played Gomez in every position in the back four – and even as a defensive midfielder.
With England struggling profoundly at centre-backs in terms of strength, his inclusion is not only deserved, but logical.
Gomez added: “I’m really enjoying my football at Liverpool. We had a good phase at the club when we won the Premier League and so on, but this year has been different for me as I have played in different places.
“I appreciate the moment and I don’t worry about where I’ve been or what I have to do. It’s the most important thing to be here now.”
5
5