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Football

07th Jan 2017

Promising Liverpool defender in line for first run-out under Jurgen Klopp

A long time coming

Tom Victor

Liverpool are likely to use their FA Cup meeting with Plymouth Argyle as an opportunity to rest some first-team regulars ahead of a tough run of league games.

Jürgen Klopp’s team have matches against Manchester United and Chelsea before the end of January, as well as the two legs of their League Cup semi-final against Southampton.

And Klopp has hinted that forgotten man Joe Gomez could well be among the fringe players to get the nod against the Pilgrims.

England Under-21 defender Gomez has yet to feature under the Reds boss, having picked up a serious knee injury on international duty just after Klopp arrived at Anfield.

He has been on the comeback trail, featuring for the Under-23s before the turn of the year, and it looks like he has proved his form and fitness enough to earn a first senior appearance since last season’s Europa League draw with FC Sion.

“He’s in good shape. First game at Anfield for a long time – maybe it would not be the biggest surprise if he would be in the line-up, if nothing happens,” Klopp said in a pre-match press conference.

Another man who could be in line for a recall against Plymouth is goalkeeper Loris Karius, while youngsters Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ovie Ejaria and Ben Woodburn could also be in line for some game-time.

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