Quotes from Joe Gomez

For me, growing up, my main role model was Rio Ferdinand when he was playing with England. He was a centre half. I liked his style of play, and he played with a lot of passion.

It means a lot to me to be from London. Obviously, it's where I spent the majority of my life, it's where I learnt a lot about different cultures and different people, and it toughened me up at times.

I think it's a natural progression: a lot of centre-backs start wide when they're young and move inside.

I've realised that being healthy and having the opportunity to play isn't something that everyone has all the time. I am lucky to be able to do something I enjoy doing.

You can get caught up in a lot of things playing for Liverpool. The main thing is to stay grounded. That's something I won't forget.

I don't want to build a reputation for just being able to take long throws.

Coming here to Liverpool, with the history of playing young players, it was the place to go to if I was to move. They've not let me down.

I'm still a young player - I'm still learning - so all I can try to do is soak up what's around me, and I've got great individuals, great people, to learn from and inspire to be like as well as how I want to play, so I'm grateful to be in the position I'm in and learn from the people I am.

Growing up in South London was what moulded me, really. I grew up in Caford, Lewisham. It just meant a lot of time playing out with my friends... football, obviously. It wasn't always the nicest area, but it was better for it.

The key is to stay level headed. Not get too high with the highs. At the same time, you need to stay strong when things aren't going your way.

It's about staying level-headed and being appreciative of the chances I got and the games I played but, at the same time, wanting more.

Football means everything to me. It's been my life from four years old onwards. It's given me the best moments of my life and the lowest.