Liverpool defender Joe Gomez says he would have been a PE teacher if football didn't become his occupation.

The 22-year-old has credited the subject with helping him find his footballing talents.

"PE was my favourite subject in school," Gomez said. "I wasn't bad in school, but I wasn't the smartest, so I think it was the time that I could just enjoy myself and purely have fun.

"I think that fun and enjoyment is the main thing in school. If I wasn't a footballer I would have liked to be a PE teacher.

"I knew that I couldn't let my school affect my football by behaving badly and getting detention and all that sort of thing, so I made sure my homework was done.

"Obviously, at that age, your parents emphasise that it's important that you do well in school, otherwise they might take away your hobby.

"It's really important, not just for the health benefits but just for having fun. Psychologically it's important that children get a chance to express themselves and sometimes PE is the best way to do that.

"I found my talents in PE and it gave me a chance to have fun and enjoy time with my friends, so it is definitely important."