Really strong… Jurgen Klopp blown away by what 26-year-old Liverpool star did vs Crystal Palace today

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Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was delighted with the work of his subsitutes against Crystal Palace today.

With the Reds struggling to break Palace down – and falling 1-0 behind – the starting XI needed some help from the bench.

Thankfully, the cavalry came calling at just the right moment. First of all Curtis Jones showed great awareness to set-up Mohamed Salah for the equaliser, before Harvey Elliott buried a wonderful late winner.

But despite the contributions of both Jones and Elliott, Liverpool’s most effective substitute was actually Joe Gomez. Given the Man of the Match award by TNT Sports, Klopp told the same outlet after the game that his No.2 had been ‘really strong’ at Selhurst Park.

“Subs can make a massive difference, that’s actually the job!” laughed the manager. “Harvey played a wonderful game and scored a wonderful goal, I’m so happy for him.

“Curtis came on, really strong from Joe Gomez – oh my God! Cody [Gakpo], and I’ve maybe forgot who else we brought on. We changed the system and it all then worked out.”

Gomez makes the difference for Liverpool

Over the years, we’ve often been talking about how Liverpool’s right-back was the game’s most defining player. Usually though, that right-back has been Trent Alexander-Arnold.

With Klopp placing plenty of emphasis on his full-backs, the position has been a useful outlet on so many occasions.

Today, that was no different, but the identity of the man in question may surprise a few. Nevertheless, Gomez deserves massive credit today.

In all truthfulness, the 26-year-old was perhaps unlucky not to start on Saturday lunchtime. With Ibrahima Konate’s minutes needing to be managed, there was a spot open at centre-half.

But with Klopp perhaps mindful that he may need him at right or left-back over the next few weeks, Gomez was held back, Jarell Quansah getting the nod.

When he did get his opportunity as a half-time sub though, the former Charlton man made a real point.

He was always an outlet on the right-hand side and was comfortably Liverpool’s best player of the day.

It marks the high-point of a really encouraging season so far for Gomez. He may not be an immediate starter right now, but he’s a hugely important member of the Reds squad. Keep it up, Joe!