Joe Gomez admits surprise to be getting regular game time at Liverpool

Joe Gomez: Admits he's still learning

Joe Gomez has played "far more than expected" at Liverpool since arriving this summer from Charlton and admits he is "still learning".

Signed from Charlton for an initial £3.5million this summer, Gomez was expected to be more of a squad player under Brendan Rodgers due to his lack of top-flight experience.

However, the 18-year-old has started both of the Reds' first two Premier League games at left-back - this despite being considered more of a centre-back - in place of the out-of-form Alberto Moreno.

Having made just 21 league appearances in his primitive career before heading to Anfield, Gomez admits the immediate starts have come as a surprise, but he is enjoying his spell.

"To be fair, it probably hasn't really sunk in yet," the England Under-19 international told the club website. "I think it will over time, but at the moment I'm just trying to keep going and keep working.

"It's definitely been far more than I expected, to come in and play the first two games. I knew there was a possibility of me going out on loan, but this was the aim - to try to get into the team."

Gomez is all too aware of the gulf between his previous experience at Championship level and the Premier League, but says his "top-quality" team-mates have helped him make the transition.

"It's the Premier League and straight away there are different qualities - the tempo is a lot higher," he said.

"I'm adjusting and that's only helping me because I'm still learning. Even in training with the rest of the boys, they're all top-quality players and it helps me to work alongside them.

Liverpool have kept two clean sheets in their opening two games with Gomez a crucial aspect of the defence, but the teenager is aware that he faces a battle to keep hold of his starting place.

"It's early doors and only two games into a long season, so I know there's still a lot of hard work to be done. I have to keep working hard to try to stay in the team.

"I'm enjoying it and I'm happy to have played - and obviously we've got two good wins, so it's been great so far."

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