Man United vs Liverpool: Jurgen Klopp to start 'phenomenal' player for first time this season

Nat Phillips was a surprise selection for Liverpool last week against Crystal Palace, but it’d appear he won’t be keeping his place for a second consecutive game.

That’s due to the availability of Joe Gomez who was struggling for fitness last time out.

As such, the English defender could only impact the game from the bench, coming on for Liverpool on the hour mark.  

This week though, according to The Athletic, Gomez has been participating in full training and will thus start against Manchester United.

It’s a fantastic opportunity for the Brit to establish himself as a legitimate option at centre-back for Jürgen Klopp once again.

Last term, Gomez started just 4 Premier League games, finding himself firmly behind Ibrahima Konaté and Joel Matip in the Liverpool centre-back pecking order.

However, the club have shown faith in the defender, handing him a new contract over the summer alongside a new shirt number.

And with Matip and Konaté currently out injured, if Gomez can pick up some form, it’ll be his place to lose in the Liverpool backline.

The 25-year-old will be relishing the opportunity to play in his preferred role as a centre-back again. He was often utilised as a right-back in Trent Alexander-Arnold’s absence last season.

And whilst he’s able to cover aptly in this role, it’s not where he plays his best football.

Gomez will also have an eye on the attempting to grab a place in the England squad ahead of the World Cup in Qatar this winter.

Prior to the devastating knee injury he sustained at the beginning of the 2020/21 season, he was a regular in the England squad but has since failed to receive a call up.

If he can help guide Liverpool to their first win of the season this Monday against Manchester United and thereafter keep his place, that could soon change.

One suspects this is a crucial season for Joe Gomez, who Klopp last month called 'phenomenal', at Liverpool if he is to establish himself as a starter in the long-term for the Merseyside club.