Joe Gomez to Return to Training Following Crystal Palace Match

The past month has seen Liverpool in the midst of a defensive injury crisis, with Joe Gomez, Joël Matip, Dejan Lovren, and Trent Alexander-Arnold all picking up injuries. It’s not all bad news for Jürgen Klopp, though, with Matip expected back to face Crystal Palace.

And here’s more good news for the manager. Gomez, who was expected start training at the end of the month, is now expected back next week. That’s at least a week ahead of schedule for the 21-year-old, who could now be involved against Leicester City.

With a week and a half between the Palace and Leicester matches thanks to Liverpool’s FA Cup exit, it means Gomez will be fully involved in the mid-season training camp in Dubai Liverpool head off on next week. There’s also a chance Lovren will be involved.

Initial fears of a longer layoff for Lovren have given way to a belief that he, too, is likely to be ready to train following the match against Crystal Palace, with Klopp noting the injury has turned out “not that serious” and which could mean a near fully fit squad for Leicester.

The main concern, then, at least beyond this weekend and the match against Palace, is Alexander-Arnold’s injury. Aside from the talented young right back, though, Liverpool expect to have a fully fit defence following their impromptu mid-season break.

With that in mind, the club have been consistent in the signals sent to fans via connected journalists that no new defensive signings are likely—Klopp is happy with what he’s got, and the club are confident the currently injured players will return in short order.