Liverpool return to Premier League motion at Craven Cottage within the lunchtime kick-off this afternoon towards Fulham, and it hasn’t been plain crusing for Jurgen Klopp thus far this summer season, with plenty of harm points already hindering the group.
In his pre-match press convention, the Reds supervisor shared some perception into the continued harm issues on the membership forward of their first league recreation of the season, with Curtis Jones, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Caoimhin Kelleher, Kostas Tsimikas, Diogo Jota, Calvin Ramsey and Ibrahima Konate all dominated out of the squad for at this time.
One participant who has been knocked again with harm points prior to now however is at the moment match and able to go forward of the brand new season is Joe Gomez, who has additionally signed a brand new contract with the membership this summer season.
With Konate injured, it could possibly be a fantastic alternative to offer the 25-year-old the chance to take his place within the group once more and re-establish his centre-back partnership with Virgil Van Dijk which contributed to Liverpool’s first Premier League title win in 2019/20.
Gomez and the Dutchman had been the Reds’ most-used central defensive pairing as Klopp’s group romped to the title, profitable a mixed 7.5 headers per recreation as they offered a formidable two-pronged impediment to opposition attackers.
The defensive duo may now be given the chance to spark that profitable system as soon as extra, particularly now that Gomez is clearly in Klopp’s plans after having his future secured till 2027.
The 25-year-old, who was dubbed “sensational” by his supervisor, suffered a long-term patella harm which left him sidelined for 231 days and 39 fixtures over the 2020/21 marketing campaign, however final season he was eased again into the group, tallying 21 appearances.
Over seven Champions League appearances in 2021/22, Gomez was profitable in 100% of his dribble makes an attempt, together with profitable 74% of his duels and delivering a 92% cross completion price, however the Englishman solely performed a mean of 37 minutes per recreation.
Ought to Joe Gomez begin towards Fulham?
Sure
No
With that being stated, Klopp should discover alternatives to offer the 25-year-old extra game-time, with the brand new season the proper time to supply that to the £75k-per-week defender following Konate’s harm blow.
The sport towards Fulham at this time presents a fantastic alternative to offer Gomez an opportunity to show that he’s nonetheless worthy of his place within the group.
