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Klopp insists a fit and focused Gomez will get more starts and add strength and depth to the Reds’ injury-hit defence

- DAVID MADDOCK

LIVERPOOL STAR TO THE RESCUE

JURGEN KLOPP believes a fit and firing Joe Gomez will add real strength and depth to Liverpool’s stretched defence.

The Reds boss has entered the new campaign hit by injury concerns, with no fewer than nine players on the sidelines. That includes most recent victim Thiago, who suffered hamstring damage at Fulham on Saturday (right).

Three of those nine casualties are defenders – Ibrahima Konate, Calvin Ramsey and Kostas Tsimikas.

Yet Gomez provides the perfect solution. He has played all along the backline in his seven years at Anfield and has had a full pre-season following some injury problems of his own.