Liverpool defender Joe Gomez has opened up about the sting of hearing boos from the Anfield faithful, admitting "it does hurt" but acknowledging the fans are "entitled" to voice their frustrations after a tough season. The Reds' 1-1 draw with Chelsea on Saturday was met with loud jeers at full-time—a recurring theme in what's been a challenging campaign for the Merseyside club.

"We've all said on record a few times this year that we know this is not where we want to be," Gomez said. "We get it, we understand it. I guess it just is a summary of our year and it's a reaction to the whole year, and that's fair enough. The fans pay their hard-earned money to come and watch us, and they're entitled to show their frustration, in the same way they cheer us."

When asked if the boos were hurtful, Gomez didn't shy away: "We feel it. It's the last thing we want. For us older boys who have experienced so many good times here, it does hurt. If it didn't, then you shouldn't still be here. We want to make it right."

The draw marked another frustrating chapter for Liverpool, who have now dropped nine points from winning positions in Premier League home games this season—their worst such record at Anfield since the 2015-16 campaign, when they lost 14 points. For a club accustomed to challenging for titles, this season's struggles have been a bitter pill to swallow.

Gomez emphasized that the disappointment runs deep within the squad: "The main thing is that we're a team, and we understand that in the dressing room we don't come in after a result like that without disappointment. There's frustrations, and there's been plenty of voices, discussions, and meetings from different people—staff and players."

With the season winding down, the defender made it clear what's at stake: "The black and white thing now is that we need Champions League football. That's the objective. Then we dust ourselves off, we go again, and go into the [next] year and have a good start."

For Liverpool fans and players alike, the hope is that this season's pain will fuel a resurgence—one that brings back the glory days to Anfield.