Gomez is making strides at Liverpool having made his England debut against Germany

The first thing that Joe Gomez did was write it all down. Every last bit there in black and white.

Under one heading, he scribbled the “pros” of going to the European Under-21 Championship with England last summer. There was the chance to chase glory, the exposure a major tournament would bring and the prospect of more football following a campaign in which he completed his return from a cruciate knee injury.

Next to that column came the “cons” of a month spent in Poland: a late return to pre-season training with Liverpool, slipping down the pecking order, a second successive summer without a break and, near the top, were the words “repercussions for England”.

Gomez starred for England against Brazil as he kept Neymar in check MATTHEW ASHTON/AMA/GETTY IMAGES

Gomez read those lists over and again before arranging a