Liverpool legend highlights why Jurgen Klopp has been lucky

Joe Williams
Jurgen Klopp Liverpool

Phil Thompson reckons Jurgen Klopp has got “lucky” after he played Joe Gomez in Liverpool’s central defence last weekend.

Gomez has been deployed primarily as a right-back during his time with the Reds but his preferred position is in the centre of the backline.

And the Englishman got his chance at centre-back in Liverpool’s comfortable 4-0 victory over West Ham in the Premier League last weekend.

With Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip suffering from injury he is set to keep his place in the side again on Monday when Klopp’s side travel to Crystal Palace.

“Sometimes you get lucky in life,” Thompson said on Sky Sports.

“I think Jurgen Klopp is a little bit like that. This has happened because of Lovren coming back late, then getting an injury, Matip and Klavan, who’s just left.

“He’s always been, I believe, a centre-back, Joe Gomez. He’s got the profile. He’s quick, he’s comfortable on the ball.

“You’ll see him with his positioning, he’s good in the air. He’s got to get a little bit stronger and now and again gets caught with balls over his head.

“But that’s the learning process as a young man and I think this could be the ideal partnership, him and Van Dijk together.

“Van Dijk, I must say, gave an unbelievable performance last week.

“It goes unnoticed by people, but his passing, his positional play, was absolutely top class.”

 

Fancy news and features on the Reds on your Facebook timeline? Like our dedicated Liverpool page.