LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, January 7, 2017: Liverpool's Joe Gomez in action against Plymouth Argyle during the FA Cup 3rd Round match at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Joe Gomez “getting better every game”

As Joe Gomez continues to reach somewhere near his top level, Trent Alexander-Arnold has lauded the form of his U23s teammate.

Gomez suffered a serious knee injury as soon as Jurgen Klopp took over at Liverpool in October 2015, and didn’t make another first-team appearance until the 0-0 draw with Plymouth Argyle in January this year.

The 19-year-old is being carefully used by Klopp in order to not be rushed back too soon, and he impressed in the U23s’ 5-1 thrashing of Reading on Monday.

He opened the scoring with a superb volley, and barring one second-half error, he was a calm and influential presence at the heart of the defence all night.

Alexander-Arnold also played the whole 90 minutes, and as well as speaking glowingly about his teammate’s progress, he stressed the importance of the youngsters proving themselves to Klopp.

“It’s been quite a tough year for him but he’s back now and he’s looking strong and fit,” the young full-back said.

“He’s getting better every game and you can see that with his performances and he capped it off with a goal [tonight].

“It’s about keeping your fitness up and trying to show the manager and everyone what you can do and why you’re involved with the first team.

“I think that’s important.”

Alexander-Arnold also had some brief praise for 16-year-old Rhian Brewster, with the exciting striker scoring twice on Monday evening.

“There’s a lot of talent coming through at the Academy and every year it seems to be younger and younger teams coming through, that can only be a good thing,” he said.

“He’s doing everyone at the Academy proud.”

Liverpool’s U23 side are certainly a formidable bunch right now, and Reading were powerless to prevent them from romping to victory at Adams Park.

As well Alexander-Arnold, Gomez and Brewster, there were also starts for Kevin Stewart, Sheyi Ojo, Ben Woodburn and Harry Wilson, while Marko Grujic also made a pleasing return from a four-month absence.

Gomez is certainly one to watch, and while Klopp appears to be wrapping him in cotton wool for now, he is sure to play a bigger role for the first-team in the future.

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