Gomez reveals Klopp once suffered torn ACL in Germany

Matt Stead

Joe Gomez says that Jurgen Klopp helped him through his rehabilitation from a serious knee injury, because the Liverpool manager went through it once.

Gomez started the 2015/16 season in fine form under Brendan Rodgers, being afforded opportunities in the first team.

But five days after Rodgers was replaced by Klopp, the defender suffered a serious knee injury that would sideline him for the rest of the campaign.

Gomez then suffered a further blow after rupturing his Achilles tendon during his recovery, meaning that he did not make his first appearance under Klopp until January 2017.

The 20-year-old has since returned to the first team, and has thanked Klopp for his part.

“He comforted me,” Gomez said. “Jurgen did his ACL previously in Germany. So he spoke to me about it. I was emotional and disappointed but he was just positive.

“He’d been through the same thing and knew what was ahead. He gave me nice words that gave me the push to get back.

“The manager has brought a lot of light and belief to the city. The desire, the work rate, the style and the counter pressing that he wants us to do.

“Now we have had a season to bed down and it is all in place to perform and get results. Hopefully he can lead us to where we want to be.”