Liverpool defender Joe Gomez was spotted back in training after missing the last three weeks through injury.
Gomez was taken off during a nightmare match against Real Madrid on February 21st. Jurgen Klopp later revealed that the 25-year-old had picked up a knock.
This led to Gomez missing subsequent games against Crystal Palace, Wolves, Manchester United and Bournemouth.
But as per today’s open training session at the AXA Training Centre, the centre-back has returned to action. Presumably Gomez will be available for tomorrow’s return leg against Madrid.
Despite reported positive progress, there was still no sign of Luis Diaz among those present at training. Thiago Alcantara is the other senior player still missing.
Gomez pays price for costly mistakes
Gomez returning shouldn’t make too much difference for Liverpool where tomorrow is concered. Even if he is fit and ready to play 90 minutes, he shouldn’t be considered in the Spanish capital.
His performance against tomorrow’s opponents on his last game was absolutely diabolical. Obviously, he was carrying an injury. But that doesn’t excuse the shambles he served up three weeks ago.
In fact, it wouldn’t be a stretch to say that he cost Liverpool at least two or three goals that night. Without his errors, perhaps the Reds would head into Wednesday’s game with more hope.
In his absence, Ibrahima Konate has shown why Gomez is now further down the pecking order. Konate hasn’t been perfect, but he’s helped Liverpool to three clean sheets in four games.
Moving forward, he is the clear and obvious partner for Virgil van Dijk.
That doesn’t mean that Gomez won’t get chances between now and the end of the season, he probably will. But having had the opportunity to cement himself once again this season, he’s fallen woefully short.