Keown kindly tells Klopp who to partner Van Dijk with

Ian Watson

Martin Keown says Jurgen Klopp should move Joe Gomez inside to play alongside new £75million signing Virgil van Dijk.

Holland defender Van Dijk will complete his record-breaking move to Anfield from Southampton when the transfer window opens next week, with both clubs confirming on Wednesday that a deal had been agreed.

The 26-year-old is expected to significantly improve a Liverpool defence that has come under heavy criticism since even before Klopp arrived at the club in 2015.

Dejan Lovren, Joel Matip and Ragnar Klavan have all been used at centre-half but former Arsenal and England defender Keown believes Klopp should partner up Van Dijk with another team-mate.

He wrote int he Daily Mail: “What Klopp should do now is use this as an opportunity to form a new partnership in the heart of Liverpool’s back-line, by moving Joe Gomez into the middle to play alongside his record signing.”

“While Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip are too cumbersome and lack mobility, Van Dijk and Gomez are both quick players who would complement each other well.

“Gomez has earned his stripes playing out wide but at times, such as in last week’s 3-3 draw at Arsenal, he has looked like a centre-half playing at right back. It is time for Gomez to be given his chance at centre-back.”