Gomez was pictured as part of the Liverpool squad on a training camp to Barcelona.
Liverpool were on a training camp in Barcelona this week – which also saw many of Jürgen Klopp’s side in attendance at the Nou Camp to watch Barcelona thrash Borussia Mönchengladbach 4-0 in their final group stage match.
The usual suspects were attendance including the Reds boss and some of the side’s more established first team players.
One notable inclusion in the squad as part of the trip was defender Joe Gomez – who hasn’t played a competitive first team game for the Reds since October last year – and has yet to feature under Klopp. He was pictured along with his teammates at the Nou Camp:
After such a lengthy spell on the sidelines with an ACL injury, Gomez has been building up his fitness in behind closed door friendlies and matches for the under-23 side. Klopp had the opportunity to leave the 19-year-old back on Merseyside to continue to work on his fitness, or even play in last night’s under-23 match against West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League Cup.
It’s a busy time of the season that is coming up for the Reds as the Premier League enters the festive period, but January also sees Liverpool involved in the semi-finals of the EFL Cup against Southampton, and their FA Cup bid get underway with a home tie against either Newport County or Plymouth Argyle.
Liverpool’s Joe Gomez in action with Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsey
Gomez can play along the back line though his natural position is said to be at the heart of the defence. Joel Matip and Dejan Lovren are evidently Klopp’s first choice centre-back pairing, but after that things may look a little thin on the ground, especially as Klopp opts to play Lucas Leiva on the right side of the pairing when Matip isn’t available. After the weekend’s defeat to Bournemouth, Gomez probably comes into Klopp’s thoughts a little more.
Sooner or later, the man who impressed at the start of last season prior to his injury may be getting one or two more opportunities.
Liverpool’s Joe Gomez in action with Bournemouth’s Joshua King
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
