Joe Gomez: Liverpool fans entitled to voice frustrations but ‘it does hurt’

Liverpool defender Joe Gomez accepts fans are entitled to voice their frustrations however they want but it does impact the players.

There were jeers at the end of Saturday’s 1-1 Premier League draw with Chelsea which left Arne Slot’s side still needing three points from their remaining two matches to guarantee a return to the Champions League, although two points should be enough due to their superior goal difference.

The boos were even louder when teenage winger Rio Ngumoha was substituted midway through the second half, although Slot said that was due to cramp and not tactical.

Gomez, who watched most of the game from the bench before his entrance in the 77th minute, is the club’s longest-serving current player so has seen highs and lows since arriving in 2015 and admits the booing is tough to hear.

“We feel it. It’s the last thing we want. For us older boys who have experienced so many good times here, it does hurt,” he said.

“If it didn’t then you shouldn’t still be here. We want to make it right.

“I guess it just is a summary of our year and it’s just a reaction to the whole year, and that’s fair enough.

“The fans pay their hard-earned money to come and watch us and they’re entitled to show their frustration, in the same way they cheer us.”

A lovely finish from Ryan