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Liverpool news: Jurgen Klopp has got lucky with one player - Phil Thompson
LIVERPOOL boss Jurgen Klopp has struck lucky after being forced to play Joe Gomez as a centre-back from the start of this season.
Jurgen Klopp reacts to 4-0 West Ham victory
That is the verdict of Sky Sports pundit and legendary Liverpool defender Phil Thompson.
Gomez has often played as a right-back during his time at Anfield.
However, his preferred position is in the centre and with injuries to Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip and Ragnar Klavan leaving the club, the 21-year-old got his chance against West Ham last week.
Gomez impressed in the 4-0 win against the Hammers and looks set to keep his place against Crystal Palace on Monday evening.
He’s always been, I believe, a centre-back, Joe Gomez. He’s got the profile. He’s quick, he’s comfortable on the ball
Thompson is a fan of the former Charlton man and is excited by the potential of his partnership with Virgil van Dijk.
“Sometimes you get lucky in life,” Thompson said.
“I think Jurgen Klopp is a little bit like that.
“This has happened because of Lovren coming back late, then getting an injury, Matip and Klavan, who’s just left.
“He’s always been, I believe, a centre-back, Joe Gomez.
“He’s got the profile. He’s quick, he’s comfortable on the ball.
“You’ll see him with his positioning, he’s good in the air.
“He’s got to get a little bit stronger and now and again gets caught with balls over his head.
“But that’s the learning process as a young man and I think this could be the ideal partnership, him and Van Dijk together.
“Van Dijk, I must say, gave an unbelievable performance last week.
“It goes unnoticed by people, but his passing, his positional play, was absolutely top class.”
Gomez has three caps for England, the last of which coming in March against the Netherlands.
After the trip to Palace on Monday, Liverpool host Brighton next Saturday.