Joe Gomez Plays Full 90 Minutes for U-23s

For the first time since suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury in Jürgen Klopp’s first month in charge, Joe Gomez played a full 90 minutes for the Reds U-23 squad. The run out came during the second round of the Lancashire Senior Cup, a night in which the Liverpool youngsters (and Mamadou Sakho) ran out 4-0 victors over Burnley.

Gomez played in a three-man backline, alongside Tiago Ilori and the aforementioned Sakho. Not only did Joe help secure a clean sheet, but he turned provider early in the second half, assisting for the second of Matthew Virtue’s three goals on the night.

"He came through it fine and he had a big smile on his face at the end, which was great to see,” U-23 coach Michael Beale said after the match. "I was delighted for Matty to get his hat-trick. His form has been very good throughout the season and the goals have been coming.

"To see Madger (Gomes) get an excellent goal was also really important and, overall, it was a really good performance from the boys."

It has been a long road back for Gomez, and it hasn’t been completed yet. However, this is a great step in the right direction, and hopefully a sign of more to come from the English teenager.