Top 5 centre-backs in the league this season | Premier League 2019-20

#3 Joe Gomez

Gomez has overcome injury problems to become an integral part of the Liverpool defence

Before the start of the season, Joe Gomez had only shown flashes of the qualities that had led Liverpool to bring him in at such a young age. The Liverpool fans have had to be patient with him since his arrival at the club, as inexperience and injuries have slowed down his progress somewhat. Gomez also took a little time to find his ideal position, having a spell at right-back before eventually switching to centre-back. And although he missed the first half of this season due to a serious injury, the former Charlton star has repaid the club’s faith in him by becoming the ideal central defensive partner to Virgil van Dijk.

Blessed with prodigious speed and physicality, Gomez is extremely adept at using his pace to snuff out danger before it develops into a major problem. However, if strength is what is required, he isn’t afraid to mix it up with opposing strikers either. Since regaining full fitness and forcing his way back into the starting lineup, Gomez has played the full 90 in 12 consecutive games, helping his side keep a clean sheet in 10 of them. Incredibly, Liverpool have only conceded four goals in games that he has started, a stat that is testament to the incredible partnership Gomez and van Dijk have forged. Not only does he look set to make the England squad for the 2020 Euros, but he is also in prime position to grab the starting centre-back berth alongside Harry Maguire, provided he can stay away from injuries.