Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was forced to include Joe Gomez in his 18-man matchday squad ahead of schedule for the Champions League clash against FC Porto on Tuesday night.
BT Sport’s Matt Smith reported before the 2-0 win that following a conversation with the Reds boss, it emerged that the England international had to abandon plans to partake in a behind-closed-doors friendly.
Twitter: Just spoken to Jurgen Klopp. Gomez due to play a closed doors game today but Moreno not fit for bench so Joe is cover at LB. @btsport (@msmith850)
Gomez has regularly been training of late following his leg fracture in December last year but hadn’t appeared to be fit for participating in the immediate future.
However, with Alberto Moreno nursing fitness problems, it seems Klopp was left with no choice but to include the former Charlton Athletic youngster on the bench at Anfield.
Andy Robertson served a one-match suspension in the victory against Porto, meaning that James Milner played at left-back.
Moreno was, therefore, due to deputise the experienced midfielder from the bench, but his fitness appeared to leave Klopp with no option but to recall Gomez.
The Reds didn’t need to introduce the young defender, however, as goals from Naby Keita and Roberto Firmino sealed a comfortable win.
