Jurgen Klopp has ruled out the prospect of sending Joe Gomez out on loan, citing his need in the squad as the season progresses.
Liverpool had a difficult campaign last time out wherein massive injuries to first-team stars derailed their chances of retaining the Premier League title. Some of those important absentees were in central defence, as midfielders Fabinho and Jordan Henderson lined up in the positions on multiple occasions.
They might have put that difficult period behind them after a solid start to the new season. Their cause has been aided by the returns of important defensive stars such as Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip and Joe Gomez. Jurgen Klopp also decided to sign Ibrahima Konate from RB Leipzig in the summer to boost their options further.
Gomez, who had been a regular starter for the side before his injury last season, has been on the periphery this term, barely playing regular first-team football. The English defender has not started a Premier League game this season, which has led to speculation regarding his future. Aston Villa have been linked with a loan move for the defender, although Klopp has other ideas.
From Klopp’s comments that appeared on the Evening Standard, it’s clear the club have a plan for Gomez and his road to recovery from the injury. He said, “So, it was obviously not the best year for Joe with the injury and then coming back and having another injury because that’s how it can go.”
“We didn’t rush his recovery or rehab from the tendon injury, but when you start playing and training again and all these kinds of things after long-term. We then had four 100 per cent fit centre halves, which is why it is not so easy to get game time immediately – then you have game time, then you play, and then the body is not ready for it. We are patient and I think Joe is patient now as well, that’s the situation.”
However, Klopp was on hand to rule out any potential loan move for Gomez in the upcoming January transfer window. Klopp continued, “I don’t have any plans to give [away] anybody on loan in the winter, so I will not be the driving force – let me say it like this: nobody came to me and asked if they could go somewhere [else],”
“Joe is now only back for a proper week or so, but because of the circumstances and things like this he could be involved in the squad, but he still needs time. He needs time to train, to get [to] where he has been before.”
Gomez might not be getting many minutes on the pitch now. But, an injury to van Dijk, Konate or Matip will bring the English star back in the team. For now, the centre-back needs to bide his team on the sidelines and wait for his opportunity to come.
