Klopp vows to be patient with key duo who missed friendly vs Mainz after long injury layoffs

Jurgen Klopp urges patience with Liverpool duo Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez

Speaking to LFC TV (h/t Daily Mail), Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has called for patience with regard to key defenders Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez after their long layoffs.

Van Dijk and Gomez have not played for Liverpool since November last year after picking up serious injuries during the 2020/21 season. The defensive duo is yet to feature in any of the Reds’ preseason friendlies either, even though they have been back in training.

Following the friendly against Mainz, which Liverpool won 1-0, Klopp addressed the situation surrounding his star defenders, stating that they will not be rushed back into action. The German tactician also added that van Dijk and Gomez were unlikely to feature in the next friendly against Hertha Berlin either.

“Yeah, it would still be a surprise, unfortunately. But they look really good. We just have to be patient – we prepare for a full season, not for a pre-season game. I will not risk it for a game here, so we have to see.

“We have a lot of games still coming, pre-season games, but I don’t see them being involved for the next one.”

Klopp opted to start with new signing Ibrahima Konate and Joel Matip against Mainz, before switching to Nat Phillips and Billy Koumetio for the second half.

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It is only right from Klopp to err on the side of caution. It is imperative that van Dijk and Gomez enter the new season in the best possible condition. Risking them in friendlies when they are not fully ready could thus prove to be counterproductive.