Joao Gomes pays tribute to former Liverpool coach ahead of Wolves clash
Former Liverpool academy coach Gary O'Neil took over at Wolves four days before the 2023/24 season began and has handed a chance to one-time reported Reds target Joao Gomes
Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Joao Gomes says that new manager Gary O'Neil has given the side "a lot of confidence" in the build-up to Liverpool's visit to Molineux.
In the same time that Liverpool have farmed 10 Premier League points from a possible 12, Wolves have won three and sit in 15th place. A heavy home defeat to Brighton was a humbling experience, although narrow away losses to Manchester United and Crystal Palace offered promising signs of improvement either side of their sole victory over Everton at Goodison Park.
Gomes, 22, was eased into English football by previous boss Julen Lopetegui following his £15m transfer from Flamengo.
The Brazilian, who had been linked with Liverpool, was only afforded seven starts, though he has started all four in the league since O'Neil's arrival, prompting a positive response.
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Via the Express and Star, he said: "Our new manager has good methods and gives us a lot of confidence for the year ahead. He’s really knowledgeable and he just needs a little more time to carry out his work methods, because it’s not an easy or a quick process. It takes time to get there, so we need to be patient, but I think we’re on the right path.
"My English is not the best yet but I’m studying every day. Most of the time I make a decision based on my gut. Sometimes the manager says one thing and I’m the one who makes the final call on the pitch.
"However, it is clear to everyone what his ideas are and what he wants to convey. This is crystal clear, but it takes time, it’s not a quick or simple transition."
The midfielder was also confident his side would pick up form, and doing so quickly would mean starting with a shock against the high-flying Reds.
"I think it’s always good to surround yourself with that positive mindset. That’s the key and what will make the difference," he continued. "The more wins we have, the more positive our environment will be and that is the only way moving forward. If I were to sum up what needs to happen in one word, that word would be victory."
It would not be out of the realms of possibility, albeit with Liverpool much-changed since a dire spell earlier in 2023.
Lopetegui masterminded a demolition of Jurgen Klopp's men at Molineux at the start of February - a 3-0 defeat the joint-biggest margin of defeat in the top-flight for the German and his squad last season.
Then two months later, O'Neil - a former assistant to Barry Lewtas at the Reds' Kirkby academy - would oversee one of the most emphatic results that helped turn Bournemouth's season around and avoid relegation.
A 1-0 Cherries win, in which Mohamed Salah misplaced a penalty, was another result that served to derail the Reds' top four hopes.
While too early to suggest a recurrence would result in the same outcome, a win against one of five unbeaten teams in the league would be another upset on Wolves' part.
As per Transfermarkt, defensive midfielder Joe Hodge is the Midlands club's only injury worry, as a hamstring injury is to sideline the 20-year-old until the end of the month.