Jurgen Klopp has backed Joe Gomez and Joel Matip to form a successful defensive partnership, despite the pair never starting a game together.
The German has been left with selection headaches following the news that Virgil Van Dijk is likely to miss the season with an ACL injury in a clash with Jordan Pickford during the Merseyside derby.
This has left Liverpool with just two recognised centre-backs in Matip and Gomez who have played 229 games between them - but have somehow never lined up together.
Ahead of Liverpool's match with Sheffield United, Klopp said in his pre-match conference that the pair will need to get used to each other.
Klopp said: 'The reason for (why Gomez and Matip never played together) is because I think Virg played pretty much all the games and one of them was injured.
'As long as Dejan Lovren was still here and Dejan was in that moment fit (he could play).
'I didn't know they had never played together, I didn't know that, but they can play together β not a shadow of a doubt.
'As I said for the Fabinho and Joe pairing, they need to get used to each other and the full-backs need to get used to them.
'The more stability you have in this line, the better. We never had that really, especially one position was always with a lot of changes. They will fight together, there is no doubt about that.
'It is football and it didn't become rocket science overnight. We can help them with information but then they will get tested every three days, that's the situation.'
Van Dijk's injury was a bitter blow to Liverpool's hopes of retaining the Premier League.
It leaves them with Gomez and Matip who both have a history of injuries - with the latter struggling for fitness since football resumed in June.
The pair might still have a battle on their hands to start with Fabinho another option for Klopp's Liverpool.
The Brazilian produced magnificent displays in recent victories over Chelsea and Ajax as a makeshift centre-back and is likely to be the man to fill the void left by Van Dijk.
kazprinz
0
guys hope you are watching how Robo is playing 9 out of 10 of his balls goes backwards. the whole team no one shoots from outside the box except TAA and Mane. I think we are going back to the lazy days of Rodgers.
I notice that too. Teams like Bayern position their midfielders strategically around the opposition box and always make well timed runs inside, making players like Goretzka and Kimmich bury those chances
leonardo2002
0
so henderson is a joke to u
uhm yeah
nimimruyz
0
you just dont understand talent do you... him and phil jones have been the most consistent cbs in the world
ok Mr simpleton
dalip3690
0
try to make some sense boy
you just dont understand talent do you... him and phil jones have been the most consistent cbs in the world
mancekpsz
1
Gomez is a time bomb, a lousy defender who is slow, weak in the air and always lose his marker.
mancekpsz
0
klopp should shine his eyes the partnership won't work. it will be a disaster waiting to happen. Godspeed liverpool π€
Gomez is a time bomb, a lousy defender who always lose his marker
mancekpsz
2
pogba
[image]
useless and lazy player
Tich1
0
guys hope you are watching how Robo is playing 9 out of 10 of his balls goes backwards. the whole team no one shoots from outside the box except TAA and Mane. I think we are going back to the lazy days of Rodgers.
Paebmnu
0
pogba
diabiknz
0
One player is injured and liverpool are scrolling now. liverpool winning in this period will be in danger since their front three can score a lot of goals but Matip and Joe Gomez together with Father Adrian will help the opponents to cancel all their goals
el-classico hurts right!?
deba_LFC
0
pls use d partnership during pre season thanks, meanwhile greet fabinho o, he is doing well. pls u guys shud sign him as a central defender.
Torres94
0
One player is injured and liverpool are scrolling now. liverpool winning in this period will be in danger since their front three can score a lot of goals but Matip and Joe Gomez together with Father Adrian will help the opponents to cancel all their goals
What about Barcelona? They look like a team in trouble too.
Ashraf75
0
[image]
Plus super sub: Jota, Milner, Keita, Minamino, Shaqiri, Origi, Kurtis Jones, Williams,Adrian.
Ashraf75
0
[image]
Perfect
nazadinops
3
oluwafestus
0
Matip is good.
yeah but always injured π₯π
Veocdlnotz
0
we should try and Ozan from Schelka. He will be a good replacement
StanleyMendez
0
better than whole Barcelona team next year Barcelona they are not going to come even top 4 and dont forget mr corner taken quickly tren66 who made you sleepless one year ago
I can see you have started supporting liverpool during Salah and Mane regime. Where were you throughout the 30yrs without EPL. Glory hunter like you. Shame!
Dougmdm
0
Klopp should take a very close look at WBAβs centre back Semi Ajayi. He looks the real deal.
Agree! Good ball playing defender. Composed, strong, intercepts ball very well & able to pint point that long ball.
fauikoru
0
TAA66 is not in form again dude, when was the last time he provides an assist
better than whole Barcelona team next year Barcelona they are not going to come even top 4 and dont forget mr corner taken quickly tren66 who made you sleepless one year ago
StanleyMendez
0
dude alisson is back and still we have mr corner taken quickly tren66 [Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
TAA66 is not in form again dude, when was the last time he provides an assist
fauikoru
1
One player is injured and liverpool are scrolling now. liverpool winning in this period will be in danger since their front three can score a lot of goals but Matip and Joe Gomez together with Father Adrian will help the opponents to cancel all their goals
dude alisson is back and still we have mr corner taken quickly tren66 [Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
sozcdilryz
1
klopp should shine his eyes the partnership won't work. it will be a disaster waiting to happen. Godspeed liverpool π€
unfortunately, man utd paid 80 million for an over rated fridge
Jotciks
5
I have no doubt they will do great but I do doubt if matip can stay fit tho hope he will cause hes really underrated.
sozcdilryz
3
matip and gomez are like the same poles of a magnet...cannot meet each other and play together
Pacekopruy
0
we need centre back
SINGAM23
7
Jur(gen Klopp) right now be like:- Joe(l Matip) & Joe (Gomez) will definitely enhance defence worries at Liverpool... since Jor(dan Pickford) injured Dijk
StanleyMendez
3
One player is injured and liverpool are scrolling now. liverpool winning in this period will be in danger since their front three can score a lot of goals but Matip and Joe Gomez together with Father Adrian will help the opponents to cancel all their goals
Nyinyilynn
3
Today liverpool win 5-0
passiondion
4
Where on Earth would you see a good CB playing 90min to come to Liverpool and play few months...then go back to Bench.....when Big VVD return...... Kopities think am nau We have up to 4 or 5 Players that can play that role..... Those player should just top their game....... That what I think can help LFC........ ... ....
passiondion
2
Where on Earth would you see a good CB playing 90min to come to Liverpool and play few months...then go back to Bench.....when Big VVD return...... Kopities think am nau We have up to 4 or 5 Players that can play that role..... Those player should just top their game....... That what I think can help LFC........ ...
kabuakweteyprosper
0
joe and Joe won't joke at all, and I can see their partnership improving
can't u see the correction under the sentence?
Cody01
2
klopp should shine his eyes the partnership won't work. it will be a disaster waiting to happen. Godspeed liverpool π€
Maguire says hello
febakly
0
Klopp should take a very close look at WBAβs centre back Semi Ajayi. He looks the real deal.
reubenite01
3
klopp should shine his eyes the partnership won't work. it will be a disaster waiting to happen. Godspeed liverpool π€
lakexyd
0
joe and Joe won't joke at all, and I can see their partnership improving
i beg!!! all i see is joe joe
lakexyd
1
when van dijk returns
[image]
so henderson is a joke to u
leonardo2002
5
when van dijk returns
Yicabnryz
2
Go on Liverpool
spursqueen
2
Dont copy spurs homework of kane and son partnership ππ€£πππ
supermcfan
4
Matip is good.
emmaudoak
1
try to make some sense boy
He is simply a hater
nimimruyz
1
liverpool had the best defence in the world with the best cbs. but unfourtunately they sold the goat dejan lovren and kept an overatted vvd
try to make some sense boy
kabuakweteyprosper
0
joe and Joe won't joke at all, and I can see their partnership improving
*joe and Joel*
kabuakweteyprosper
1
joe and Joe won't joke at all, and I can see their partnership improving
dalip3690
2
liverpool had the best defence in the world with the best cbs. but unfourtunately they sold the goat dejan lovren and kept an overatted vvd
DocSim
4
Kloppo masterclass