Gomez: Every game is an opportunity to impress
Joe Gomez is aiming to use Liverpool's clash with FC Sion to prove why he deserves a return to Brendan Rodgers' starting XI in the Barclays Premier League.
The 18-year-old is in contention to start tonight's fixture at Anfield having last featured when the Reds faced Bordeaux in the Europa League three games ago.
If selected against Sion, Gomez is out to again show the qualities that saw him impress during the team's first five outings of the 2015-16 season.
And he is also keen to help maintain the momentum picked up from a 3-2 win over Aston Villa on Saturday, even if part of a much-changed side.
"Every game is an opportunity to play and try to prove to the manager and the coaching staff that you're capable of playing in the team," he told Liverpoolfc.com.
"It's another good experience for me if I get to play and I just hope that we can get a good result as a team and a win hopefully.
"When you're not in the team you've got to be ready to come in, fit straight in and take it in your stride.
"Whoever plays, that's the most important thing, that we try to continue the momentum from the boys that played at the weekend and try to get another good result.
"I don't think there was much doubt that we were capable of performing [that way].
"Everybody is up and positive and just looking forward to the next game and onto the weekend [against Everton] because that's a massive game."
Last month's 1-1 draw with Bordeaux in France marked summer signing Gomez's maiden outing in European football.
The defender was delighted to get the chance to turn his hand to continental competition for the first time but admitted disappointment at missing out on three points after conceding a late goal.
"It was a great experience to play my first European game," he continued.
"It was a bit different to the Premier League in terms of the intensity and the tempo but it was a good experience.
"Bordeaux are a quality side but it was disappointing not to get all three points - hopefully we can do that [against Sion]."
The manager used the trip to the Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux to experiment with a return to three at the back, which has been utilised in every game since.
Gomez, who began the season playing at left-back, believes that tactical tweak could even bring the best out of him.
"Personally, I probably prefer it because I get to play more of a central role on either side," he explained.
"It's more fluid for us as a team playing passing football, we can dominate the middle and so on.
"I think it's worked well for us as a team in terms of our performances so hopefully we can carry on doing well with it."
Tonight's game will be the Reds' fourth in just 11 days, with European, Capital One Cup and league commitments combining to pack out the fixture list of late.
Gomez has no problem with the increased workload, however, as he looks to make the most of additional chances to get on the pitch.
"It's different in terms of the intensity because the games are coming thick and fast," the teenager added.
"Especially now, picking up toward Christmas, it's a lot more intense.
"But it's good, that's what you want to be doing, playing games as much as you can and there are more opportunities to play.
"It's good for me and at the same time you do get to do your own stuff in training.
"Personally, I try to do some extra [training] but obviously you like to play as many games as you can [as well] so it's good."