Jurgen Klopp has hailed Joe Gomez’s ‘sensational’ form for Liverpool this term.
Gomez emerged as a standout performer in the Reds’ win over West Ham on Wednesday as part of a formidable defensive partnership with Virgil van Dijk.
The 22-year-old’s regular starring role came in the wake of injuries to fellow centre-backs Joel Matip and Dejan Lovren earlier in the current campaign.
But Klopp insists that he had no doubts that England international Gomez would become a solid performer for the runaway Premier League leaders.
He said: “Pretty much all of our centre-halves, when they were fit they were regular starters because two others were always injured more or less.
“This is the first time, hopefully it stays for the rest of our life like this, that all four are kind of fit. Yes, two of them have no rhythm – that’s clear – but they are fit, which is good.
“Joe was never in doubt. The season started, Joe played together with Virg, was not in the best shape ever, but Joel was.
“So Joel played and did really well, after last season when he played really well.
“Joel got injured; Dejan did outstandingly well. Then Dejan got injured and Joe came in.
“Joe jumped between right-back and centre-half, which is not perfect when you have no rhythm. If you are in a good moment it’s no problem.
“But in that moment Joe had no real rhythm and that’s why he struggled a little bit.
“Since he is a playing as a centre-half again, his natural position, together with Virg there is exceptional. He is a sensational footballer, which is good.
“He has outstanding speed, which helps us a lot to keep our last line high; he is a really good challenger; good in one-on-one situations; football-wise, I said already, good.
“The package is really nice. It was always clear in the moment he starts playing and can get rhythm again, everything will be fine, and that’s how it is.”