JOE GOMEZ revealed Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand was his childhood inspiration.

Centre-back Gomez has formed a brilliant partnership with Virgil van Dijk to turn Premier League champions-elect Liverpool into one of the best club sides in world football.

But Gomez says one of his biggest influences was fellow Londoner Ferdinand, who also starred for Leeds and England.

Gomez, 22, said: “Just being a teenager I looked up to that pedigree of footballer, that top-level England centre-half.

“Him being from south-east London as well was another thing that made me look up to him.

“His style of play is something that I liked and aspired to be like. As a young kid he was definitely an inspiration.”

Gomez admits he is loving life at Anfield, learning from close pal Van Dijk at the heart of the Liverpool defence.

And the former Charlton defender believes their friendship is one of the reasons why they have gone on to forge such a strong partnership.

The eight-cap Three Lions ace told Sky Sports’ Football Show: “The stature of Virgil when he came to the club… he was massive. And I was a young centre-back who hadn’t really got as many games as I would have liked.

“As soon as he came in he reached out with open arms and we formed a bond straightaway.

“He’s a down-to-earth person off the pitch, we get on really well and have a great relationship.

As a young kid he was definitely an inspiration.

“We talk and, at times like this, we FaceTime and just chat about general things and life.

“That helps on the pitch, we just have that sort of understanding and he’s your mate at the end of the day.

“Sometimes he gives me an earful but it’s a massive help and a confidence booster just having someone like him beside you.

“When there is a one-v-one battle, you know he is going to dominate, he doesn’t really lose headers at all.

“Just having him alongside me, just his presence… and that’s not only me — the team and even the stadium if Virg goes down, there’s a bit of a gasp and worry. He’s a real dominant force and a pleasure to play alongside.”

Gomez joined Liverpool from the Addicks for just £3.5million in 2015.

But his meteoric rise has suffered a few bumps along the way — notably three long-term injuries.

However, the upbeat Londoner claims those spells on the sidelines have got him through the frustration of not being able to play football during the Covid-19 lockdown.

Gomez said: “It’s helped having that contrast of not having played for long periods, having to have other escapes outside of football.

“Some people are probably all in or all or nothing, in a sense that they are like robots when it is just football.

“I am lucky that at a young age those injuries have served as a blessing in disguise.

“I’ve had a lot of ups and downs and that has definitely put perspective on things in terms of just being grateful to play the game and always being a student of it.”

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