LIVERPOOL DEFENDER JOE Gomez is in line to make his first appearance for 14 months when his side take on Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup.
Manager Jurgen Klopp confirmed Sunday’s third-round match at Anfield will likely see the 19-year-old play for the first time since October 2015, when he suffered a serious ACL injury.
Gomez sustained the injury playing for the England U21 team in his first season at the club following a £3.5million move from Charlton Athletic.
“It wouldn’t be the biggest surprise if he is in the line-up,” Klopp said at his pre-match media conference.
Playing for us is the logical next step for him. It is his first game at Anfield for a long time.
“Joe is in a good way and really good in training.
He already had a long way to go and there will still be but everything is good.
“We don’t have the idea to give him a loan. He is a wonderful boy and we are really happy for him.”
Loris Karius is also set to return to Liverpool’s team having lost his place in goal to Simon Mignolet last month following high-profile mistakes.
“There is a big chance [Karius plays] – he has trained outstandingly,” added Klopp.
We cannot ignore the pressure. I was sure Loris will benefit from stepping aside and Simon has done an outstanding job for us.
“Loris has forced him to train on the highest level — we have two outstanding goalkeepers.”
Klopp will make changes for the match, but insists he is not taking League Two side Plymouth lightly.
Rotating makes sense and I am pretty sure we will see a few fresh legs on the pitch,” he said.
“Look at our squad. Pretty much all of them not involved in the last few games are pretty young.
But the players I pick are ready and we will pick a team which will have a good chance. Plymouth are a confident opponent. I saw Plymouth on the map — long way!”
Klopp will not risk James Milner (calf) for the game, while Daniel Sturridge (ankle) has not trained this week.
Philippe Coutinho and Joel Matip (both ankle) are nearing returns but this match will come too soon.
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McCloskey, Hanrahan and McGrath. Particularly pleased to see those three names in the line-up.
Depth of Irish squad is something to behold. Really interesting group of players – possibly even a few bolters for the RWC squad in there? Reid, Ruddock, McCloskey perhaps? Surprised to see Duncan Casey not selected though – he’s been in very good form of late. Similarly Collie O’Shea or Garry Ringrose, just to see how they’d fare?
Gary Ringrose will be playing at the under 20 World Cup. Ronan O Mahoney deserved a place on this squad, along with Duncan casey. Don’t see the point in bringing billy holland, who has had a really good season but he’s in his 30s using he?
So, I guess it’s something like:
1s: Cronin, Buckley, Warwick
2s: Herring, Heffernan
3s: Archer, Bealham
locks: Holland, Marshall, Stevenson
back-row: Ruddock, Masterson, McKeon, Leavy, Taggart
9s: Cooney, McGrath
10s: Hanrahan, Scannell
centres: McCloskey, Reid, Griffin
back three: Healy, Conway, O’Halloran, Nelson, Kelleher
I wonder why John Ryan, Duncan Casey, Tadhg Furlong, Jack O’Donoghue, Jack Conan and Ronan O’Mahony weren’t selected
Can only assume the Furlong and Casey are in the running to be part of the main training squad. O’Mahony and Conan exclusion seems daft considering how far they have come on this season and while I know O Donoghue is only well started everything he does screams future international….
No Duncan Casey?
Archer and Holland???? Holland is too old and Archer can’t scrummage.
If there was a better player than Holland available then he wouldn’t be going.
Could have picked a much stronger squad imo. From a Munster perspective, I would much rather see JOD, Casey and ROM in there than Holland and Archer. Conan should be there too as well as Furlong. Still, it’s good to see talent like McCloskey, McGrath and JJ being recognised.
Delighted to see lots of young talents being given the chance to improve and put their hands up for the future.Griffen has being doing well at Irish and playing abroad should not be punished. As a Connacht fan after Ireland I am so pleased Matt Healy is being given a chance, he has a great kick and chase game and seems to be able to get through the eye off the needle a lot. And Denis Buckely is just unbelievable, solid at scrummage and so tenacious at turn over ball, remember the game in Thomond with was it 7 turn overs ? Quinlan couldn’t stop talking him. Best of luck too all involved maybe even a few RWC wild cards in there!!
Great to see Kelleher getting recognition for a great season