Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is in no rush to push young defender Joe Gomez back on to the pitch after a lengthy injury layoff and is keen to provide him more time to get back into his groove.

The England Under-21 international joined Liverpool from Charlton last year and impressed in the limited appearances before succumbing to an anterior cruciate ligament injury in October.




The defender has not played any kind of football for more than a year, but recently returned to training with the first team squad after completing his rehabilitation process.

However, Klopp insisted that the defender still has a long way to go before he can play first team football and wants to give as much time as possible to Gomez to completely get back into his rhythm.
 


The Liverpool manager said in a press conference: “Joe looks really good at the moment, but it's a long way.  

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“He was injured for a long time, it's a long way back and there is no rush in it.

“Thank God we don't have to put pressure on him because we need him tomorrow or something.

“He's still a young boy and we can give him the time to come back in the right moment.”

The Liverpool boss revealed that the defender will play for the club’s Under-23 side in the next few weeks as he is keen to ease the youngster back into football in a proper process.

“I think it's in the next few weeks or in the international break when we can get a game and he will play a few minutes and then we will have a look with what makes sense with the Under-23s.

“He looks good, he feels good, he's tired after the sessions, but it's normal and he's on a good way.”