8 months ago
117 Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has sung Joe Gomez’s praises ahead of the Reds’ upcoming Europa League clash.
The 26-year-old would be making his 40th appearance for Liverpool this season if he takes to the pitch against Sparta Prague on Thursday.
Gomez has also featured in a number of positions for the Reds this season, stepping up amid an injury crisis at Anfield.
A centre-back by trade, the Englishman found himself covering at right-back earlier this season for the injured Conor Bradley.
Then, injuries to Andrew Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas saw Gomez come in at left-back. And in the FA Cup meeting with Southampton, he featured as a holding midfielder.
Klopp, speaking to the Liverpool media team ahead of the Sparta clash at Anfield, admits Gomez’s skills, attitude and versatility have really impressed him.
“I couldn’t be happier for Joey,” began Klopp. “I think this season is the most consistent he played, especially because of the different positions.
“I think the least games he played on centre-half probably, because we always needed him somewhere else. And he did exceptionally well. And I think it developed his game massively.
“If you would have asked me before the season, ‘What do you think about inverted right or left-back? What do you think about generally the six?’ I don’t know if I would have said, ‘Yeah, of course, come on, Joey can do that.’
Joe Gomez appears likely to start for Liverpool against Sparta Prague – opinion
“But that’s what opportunity sometimes does to you, that you really grow with the challenges you face. And that’s what Joey definitely did, he is in exceptional shape and long may it continue.”
Gomez joined Liverpool from Charlton Athletic back in 2015 in a deal reportedly worth £6million, and he has certainly repaid that many times over.
And with Liverpool needing to manage their players ahead of Sunday’s huge FA Cup quarter-final trip to Manchester United, there’s a good chance we’ll see Gomez start again, helping the Reds contain Sparta and see out the tie.
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