Liverpool handed injury boost in battle for PL and UCL double

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For large portions of this season Liverpool have been without a consistent partner for Virgil van Dijk.

Joel Matip has put in an admirable effort since establishing himself in the absence of Joe Gomez, but Dejan Lovren has failed to stick the metaphorical landing with his own injury issues.

Gomez has been out since December but made an appearance for the U23s earlier this month and has featured on the senior team’s bench.

Prior to his injury, Liverpool’s number 12 formed a formidable partnership with van Dijk and looks to be close to a full return.

We’ve got the best defence in the Premier League; only allowing 20 goals in 34 games – that sort of form was crucial to our results in the early season.

Speaking after their appearance for the U23s, Jurgen Klopp said Gomez and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain look strong. “Ox and Joe both did really well at Leicester,” he told the Mirror.

It was a brilliant game by all of the boys, to be honest, I watched it back. It looked really good. It’s clear they still need time to get full match fitness but it’s nice to have them back and now Joe first as an option.

He played right full-back, we need him as this option as well. We all know he played a wonderful season at the centre-half position until his injury, but he can play both and it’s good to have him.”

More Stories Dejan Lovren Joe Gomez Joel Matip Liverpool Virgil van Dijk