Arne Slot praised the impact of Joe Gomez after the Liverpool centre-back’s second-half substitution inspired a turnaround win for the Reds against Brighton.
Ferdi Kadioglu’s early first-half strike had put Brighton ahead at Anfield and there was more trouble for Slot’s side when Ibrahima Konate suffered an injury on the brink of half-time.
The Frenchman was replaced by Gomez at the break who came on for just his second Premier League appearance of the season.
The Englishman has found himself down the pecking order this season, and was even linked with an exit over the summer, but was a rock at the back in the second half.
And his substitution, as well as minor tactical tweaks, inspired a huge second-half performance from the home side as goals from Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah secured a comeback 2-1 win to move Liverpool back to the top of the table.
Asked about Gomez’s performance at full-time, Slot said: ‘The good thing is we have two very good replacements in Joe Gomez and Jarell Quansah.
‘I chose Joe today because Jarell was really tired and he proved I was right because he was outstanding in the second half.
‘He had a very good performance without the ball. He constantly stepped into midfield to win the ball, winning the duels, and when he had to defend he did very well. Very good second half.’
The Dutchman continued: ‘It says a lot about his mentality and it also says a lot about his quality, if you don’t play that much and you come in in a game where your team-mates were out-played for 45 minutes, that you can come in and play like this.
‘It also says a lot about his mentality in recent weeks and months where didn’t play that much that he is now able, without playing a lot, to play 90 minutes on Wednesday and then put in a performance like this on Saturday.
‘This is what people told me when I came in. Joe is a top, top, top professional who no matter what position he is in always gives his best for the team and for himself as well, and I think he got the reward for it because I think the fans loved what they saw. I definitely did.’
Gomez, meanwhile, was pleased to have the desired impact when called upon by Slot at the break.
‘I think you have to be ready,’ he said. ‘I think every time you are on the bench you are not just a spectator, you know you are here to participate and do your job so obviously it takes a moment to get yourself together, but it’s great to be part of the team and get a win.
‘We just want to keep fighting, stay up there, keep capitalising on other teams dropping points and that’s where we belong, to be up there competing. So, that’s the main thing.’
Liverpool face a quick turnaround and are back in action Tuesday when they host Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League.
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