JOE GOMEZ is in the frame for a shock England recall for the World Cup.
The Liverpool defender was outstanding in Sunday’s 1-0 victory over Manchester City.
And he is understood to be a serious contender for Gareth Southgate’s 26-man squad following injuries to Kyle Walker and Reece James.
Gomez, 25, has not played for England for two years after suffering a serious knee injury in a training session while on international duty.
But he has been capped 11 times by Southgate.
And the Three Lions boss remains an admirer of the Reds defender, who can operate in central defence or at right-back.
Chelsea full-back James is out of the World Cup with a knee injury.
Meanwhile, Manchester City man Walker is a serious doubt after undergoing groin surgery.
It is Walker’s berth on the right-hand side of Southgate’s back three, which might open the door for Gomez – along with doubts over the form and fitness of Manchester United captain Harry Maguire.
Southgate’s assistant Steve Holland was at Anfield to watch Gomez perform impressively against City goal machine Erling Haaland on Sunday, while Southgate had been at the Aston Villa v Chelsea match.
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Walker has talked up his own prospects of being fit for Qatar but Southgate is not thought to be optimistic about the player.
The England boss might, though, be tempted to include the City man in his squad even if he is unable to prove his match fitness before the opening match against Iran on November 21.
Southgate named Maguire in his squad for last year’s Euros, even though he was unable to play in England’s opening two matches and he went on to have an excellent tournament.
With an expanded 26-man squad available, Southgate could decide that a similar gamble is worthwhile with Walker.
