Klopp’s Fitness Concern: Liverpool Star Nursing Injury Ahead Of Fulham Clash

Liverpool are monitoring the fitness of Joe Gomez as the defender is nursing an Achilles injury ahead of Sunday’s Premier League clash with Fulham at Anfield, according to the Telegraph.

Gomez has been a key player under Jurgen Klopp this season as the 21-year-old has started in nine of Liverpool’s 11 Premier League games so far with the youngster’s versatility proving extremely useless having played at right-back and alongside Virgil van Dijk in the middle of defence.

The former Charlton academy graduate had started in all three of Liverpool’s Champions League group stage games heading in to Tuesday night’s clash with Red Star Belgrade but he was left on the bench due to an Achilles injury.

Klopp decided to start Joel Matip and van Dijk in the middle of defence with Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back but Gomez was introduced at half-time with Red Star leading 2-0 thanks to a quick-fire double from Milan Pavkov.

Gomez replaced Alexander-Arnold at right-back during the second forty-five minutes and appeared to come through the game unscathed but the Telegraph claim he’s being closely monitored by Liverpool’s medical team at Melwood this week.

The newspaper says the defender remains hopeful of starting against Fulham when they arrive at Anfield on Sunday afternoon but Klopp is unlikely to take any risks with the talented youngster if he’s carrying a knock.

Matip failed to take his chance in midweek as he was poor against Red Star so he’ll be keen to be given another chance to impress against Fulham while Dejan Lovren is available again after recovering from a knock so Klopp has options in the middle of defence.

Despite nursing the Achilles problem, the Telegraph says Gomez is also still hoping to be named in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the upcoming double header with with the United States and Croatia.

Gomez has been a regular in Southgate’s squad this year and was outstanding during England’s 3-2 win over Spain last month so no doubt the Three Lions boss will be keen to call upon the Liverpool defender if he proves his fitness.