The Unbreakable Bond: Van Dijk and Gomez Ignite Nostalgia in Marseille Masterclass
By 247sportcity | Thursday, January 22, 2026
MARSEILLE, FRANCE – In the high-pressure cauldron of the Stade Vélodrome, a stadium renowned for its hostile atmosphere and deafening acoustics, Liverpool Football Club delivered a clinical European performance that felt like a bridge between the club’s glorious past and its ambitious future. While the 3-0 scoreline against Olympique de Marseille was a testament to Arne Slot’s tactical discipline, the true story of the night lay in the heart of the defense.
For the first time in a significant stretch, Liverpool fans were treated to a “reunion tour” of one of the most successful defensive partnerships in the club’s modern history. Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez stood side-by-side at center-back, putting on a defensive clinic that left captain Van Dijk beaming with pride and the traveling Kop reminiscing about the title-winning days of 2019/20.
The Call to Action: A Family Emergency
The reunion was not born of tactical experimentation, but of necessity. Liverpool’s first-choice powerhouse, Ibrahima Konate, was forced to withdraw from the squad following a sudden family emergency. In a show of the class that defines the current Liverpool dressing room, Van Dijk opened his post-match remarks not with tactical analysis, but with a heartfelt message to his absent partner.
“First and foremost, my thoughts are with [Ibou],” Van Dijk told TNT Sports, standing on the pitch where he had just navigated ninety minutes of intense European football. “He’s a huge part of what we do, and the whole squad is behind him during this time.”
With Konate unavailable, Arne Slot turned to the longest-serving member of the Liverpool first team: Joe Gomez. Despite his limited starts in his preferred central role this season—having often been deployed as a “Swiss Army Knife” at full-back—Gomez stepped into the breach with the calm of a veteran who has seen it all.
“Outstanding” Under the Lights
The performance that followed was a reminder of why Joe Gomez was once considered the premier young English center-back of his generation. From the first whistle, Gomez displayed a level of composure and physical dominance that neutralized the Marseille attack.
Van Dijk was effusive in his praise for his partner, highlighting that their connection transcends the white lines of the pitch.
“I’ve played with Joe many times, and it helps that we are very good friends as well,” the captain explained. “I thought he was outstanding. The third goal, he was the one that started it off. Pleased for him, but pleased for the whole team. Everybody put a shift in. That’s how it should be, especially if you play for Liverpool.”
The moment Van Dijk referenced—the build-up to the third goal—showcased Gomez’s evolving technical ability. Rather than simply clearing his lines, Gomez initiated a slick, progressive passing sequence that bypassed the Marseille press, ultimately leading to the goal that killed off the contest. It was the kind of “proactive defending” that Arne Slot has made a hallmark of his Liverpool tenure.
[Table: The Van Dijk & Gomez “Invincibility” Streak]
The partnership between these two is statistically one of the most resilient in Liverpool’s history. When they play together in the heart of the defense, the Reds become almost impossible to beat.
| Metric | Detail |
| Current Unbeaten Run (Together) | 9 Games |
| Last Defeat as a Pair | Feb 2023 (v Real Madrid) |
| Clean Sheet v Marseille | Yes |
| Total Unbeaten Run (Club) | 13 Games (All Competitions) |
The Ghost of 2023 and the 13-Game Charge
Liverpool’s victory in France wasn’t just another win; it extended a remarkable 13-game unbeaten streak for the club. However, the internal statistics for Van Dijk and Gomez are even more staggering. The duo has not tasted defeat as a starting center-back pairing since the traumatic 5-2 loss to Real Madrid at Anfield in February 2023.
Since that night, through various injuries and tactical shifts, the times they have been reunited have resulted in a flawless record. This “intermittent” unbeaten run has become a security blanket for the club. While Konate and Quansah have rightfully earned their places in the hierarchy, the Van Dijk-Gomez axis remains the “Break Glass in Case of Emergency” solution that never fails to deliver.
The atmosphere in Marseille—a stadium Van Dijk admitted he had “never played in before” and was “really looking forward to”—provided the perfect backdrop for this defensive masterclass. Despite the flares and the whistles, the two veterans looked as though they were playing a training match at Kirkby, such was their level of synchronization.
The Evolution of Joe Gomez
For Joe Gomez, this performance was a statement. The 2025/26 season has seen him occupy a unique role within Slot’s squad. He has become the ultimate deputy, filling in at left-back, right-back, and holding midfield. Yet, his heart remains in the center.
Against Marseille, he proved that his “center-back instincts” have not dulled. His recovery pace, which was once his primary weapon before his various injury setbacks, looked sharp. More importantly, his positioning—often the last thing to return for a defender—was perfect. He shadowed Van Dijk’s movements with an almost telepathic understanding, a byproduct of the years they spent as the primary pairing during Liverpool’s 99-point Premier League season.
Looking Ahead: Bournemouth and Beyond
As the Liverpool squad flies back to Merseyside, the focus shifts immediately to Saturday night’s trip to Bournemouth. The Premier League title race is entering a critical phase, and the availability of Ibrahima Konate remains the primary question mark.
The club has made it clear that “all support will be provided” to Konate. In the modern era of player welfare, Arne Slot is expected to give the Frenchman as much time as he needs to handle his personal affairs. In previous seasons, an injury or absence for Konate might have caused a minor panic among the Anfield faithful. Now, thanks to Gomez’s display in Marseille, there is only confidence.
Liverpool now possess a defensive roster where the “deputy” is a Champions League and Premier League winner with nearly a decade of experience at the highest level.
The Final Verdict: A Captain’s Blessing
As Van Dijk noted, playing for Liverpool requires a certain “shift,” a level of intensity that many cannot sustain. In Joe Gomez, Van Dijk sees a mirror of his own standards. The clean sheet in Marseille wasn’t just a result; it was a message to the rest of Europe. Liverpool’s depth is no longer their weakness—it is their greatest strength.
The “nostalgia” of seeing the No. 4 and the No. 2 back together might be fleeting, as Konate will eventually return to the fold. However, the 3-0 win in France served as a timely reminder: Joe Gomez isn’t just a backup. He is a high-level operator who, when reunited with his “best friend” Virgil, becomes part of an unbreakable wall.