Virgil van Dijk has ‘full confidence’ in Joe Gomez easing Liverpool’s left-back crisis.
Gomez is expected to make Jurgen Klopp’s starting line-up for their Boxing Day trip to Burnley after Kostas Tsimikas suffered a broken collarbone.
The England international performed an auxiliary role after Tsimikas’ affliction in last weekend’s Premier League top-of-the-table stalemate with Arsenal.
With first-choice option Andy Robertson still working his way back from a shoulder injury, Van Dijk has backed Gomez to prove a worthwhile stand-in.
He said: “Unfortunately we have Kostas injured and have to deal with the fallout. It’s not a great situation.
“[Gomez] has been doing it already. He’s doing it very well. When you’re mot used to playing every three days, you have to manage yourself well.
“I have full confidence in Joey and his quality. We could adapt as well and go a different way in the way we play.
“We have to find a solution. We also have young players behind as well to step up.”
Van Dijk’s defensive cohort Ibrahima Konate earned widespread acclaim for an impressive performance with several key interceptions against the leaders.
And the Liverpool captain believes that his sparring partner is starting to reap the rewards from building a greater consistency with a regular run of games.
“There’s a lot of demands from us,” admitted Van Dijk.
“We play with the ball, keep a high line, lots of space to defend in behind. You need pace and heading as well.
“It’s about getting used to playing every three days, looking after your body, managing games and training sessions, when to do certain things.
“I speak a lot with him about certain things because it’s my duty to share experiences with him.
“He’s still learning and he can be even better than he is. Same goes with Jarell (Quansah).
“I’ve been in the game for quite a while now and been quite successful. I try to give that [experience] to the young players.
“These players at this age are even better than I was. But obviously it’s about doing it in the long run.”