19-year-old centre-back Joe Gomez enjoyed a thrilling second half for Liverpool as he came on to face League Two outfit Accrington Stanley last Sunday afternoon. Although it was a game played ‘Behind Closed Doors’ in which Liverpool thwarted their opponents 5-0, the teenager was immensely happy to be back in action after a lengthy period of injury setbacks with getting 45 minutes of football under his belt.
Gomez, who can also be used as a makeshift full-back hadn’t featured for Jurgen Klopp’s Red’s since the manager’s arrival in October 2015 as he picked up a knee injury in the very early stages of Klopp’s training sessions during the same month.
A long frustrating time out would be extremely hard for any player trying to make it to the first team and the England U-21’s star was on the brink of returning at the start of the current 2016-2017 campaign, but instead suffered a further setback in his rehabilitation.
“Nice to get some minutes today… felt great to put the shirt back on #lfc” he writes on his Instagram after he made a cameo appearance and put in a good shift.
The former Charlton Athletic defender watched from the sidelines as Jurgen Klopp’s team, who currently sit pretty at the top of the league, at times playing football out of this world, the teen would be itching to get onto the field to contribute, learn and improve along with his team-mates under his charismatic manager.
No story is complete of course and the youngster is now willing to prove he is ready for his next challenge and will be up for the tasks in front of him. Liverpool will take on Southampton on Saturday at St Mary’s. Klopp’s men are unbeaten in nine matches and will be looking to extend their good run of form in the league. This fixture could also see Joe Gomez returning to the first team after thirteen months of absence.