Jurgen Klopp has praised Joe Gomez and insisted the No. 2 shall be given loads of possibilities this season, notably after a “large blow” for Ibrahima Konate.
Given the shortage of minutes for Gomez final time period it got here as a shock when the 25-year-old signed a brand new five-year contract with Liverpool this summer time.
However the Englishman has accepted the problem in entrance of him as he appears to be like to compete with Konate and Joel Matip as first-choice accomplice to Virgil van Dijk at centre-back.
It’s ironic, then, that Gomez’s first alternative may come as a consequence of an harm to one in all his team-mates, with Konate “out for some time” after selecting up an harm in opposition to Strasbourg.
Although no timeframe has been given for the Frenchman’s layoff, evidently it will likely be longer than a matter of weeks, with Klopp suggesting Nat Phillips will now keep put as cowl.
Both method, Gomez has an opportunity to keep away from the “stop-and-go” marketing campaign he endured final day out, as Klopp advised reporters on Friday.
“For Joe, it’s most vital that he stays match, in order that’s what we attempt to assist him with all we will,” the supervisor mentioned.
“That was the stop-and-go scenario, it’s not that he was match from first day and I didn’t decide him only for high quality causes.
“That was by no means the case. When he was always match he performed an terrible lot of video games.
“Everyone knows that final 12 months we may rotate like loopy between the three of them, and at first it was Joey not match and when he grew to become match it labored rather well [with the others]. There are at all times causes.
“If he stays match, then every little thing shall be fantastic for him. Excellent participant.
“Sure, he wants rhythm like all of us want rhythm, and we attempt to give him that, that’s clear.”
Konate’s harm comes at an unlucky time for Liverpool, who’ve seven extra gamers on the therapy desk heading into the primary recreation of the Premier League marketing campaign.
Caoimhin Kelleher, Calvin Ramsay, Diogo Jota and Kaide Gordon all arrived for pre-season with health points, whereas Kostas Tsimikas, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Curtis Jones subsequently picked up accidents.
“The excellent news is that when you’ve gotten a large blow, like it’s with Ibou, it’s essential to have options,” Klopp added of Gomez.
“Our answer is, within the second, the scenario that now we have. We’re nonetheless there.
“However how I mentioned, it’s at all times the identical: it’s essential to be fortunate with accidents. As a result of we’re very self-critical and take into consideration what can now we have performed in another way.
“However aside from the contact accidents, which might at all times occur, there have been good causes for [injuries] which we couldn’t affect. That’s the case for now.
“It’s all OK for the second, however Joey dedicated his future to this membership, so I can’t see why the following 12 months needs to be so vital for him to show.
“I needed him to remain right here, he’s a prime participant and he’ll play soccer video games for Liverpool, undoubtedly.”
