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Klopp Confirm Liverpool’s Injury Setback – Could Hand 19-Year Old His First Start In Over Two Years

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By Paul Hughes

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp revealed in his press conference earlier in the day, that he may be forced to play Joe Gomez to deal with the club’s injury problems ahead of their Premier League clash against Crystal Palace.

Klopp revealed that Joel Matip, Lucas and Ragnar Klavan are all currently not training. The Reds boss said that Matip and Lucas picked up knocks, while Klavan is still missing through the knee injury that ruled him out of last weekend’s Stoke game.

Now it looks like the German might have to hand Joe Gomez his first Premier League appearance in about 2 years. It looks like there is no other option for Klopp, than to play the 19-year old.

The defender ruptured his Anterior Cruciate Ligament and was out of action for several months since October 2015. His recovery, however, was not as smooth as expected and he struggled with ankle issues as well. Despite being named in the bench for Liverpool’s Premier League games, he has not featured on the pitch.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp

However, it looks like this might change now, with Liverpool’s injury problems mounting.

Klopp said in his press conference about the injury woes: “Unfortunately, not too positive. [We have] a few little things from the last game, it doesn’t make it much easier. Little bit muscle problems, Joel Matip, Lucas Leiva [and] still a problem with Ragnar Klavan. [Klavan] was a very, very small medial ligament, but could be also really not enough time until Crystal Palace.”

Gomez has played for Liverpool in the FA Cup games against Plymouth and Wolverhampton in January, but has impressed for the U-23s since his return from injury.

He added: “It’s not 100 per cent that Lucas cannot play, it’s not 100 per cent that Joel cannot play, it’s not 100 per cent that Ragnar cannot play. But they are not in training in the moment, so that’s not too cool. Joe Gomez played on Monday, U23s, again [he] did well, made big steps in the last few weeks, so maybe we have to try this pair. We will see, I don’t know in the moment.”

It looks certain that Joe Gomez will be involved against Crystal Palace. Hopefully, things go on well and the youngster should gain some valuable first-team experience.

Good Luck Joe!