Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool have an 'exceptional' talent in their ranks ahead of Watford clash

By Giuseppe Labellarte

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has described Joe Gomez as an “exceptional” centre-half and bemoaned his absence from the latest England squad.

The 24-year-old is yet to start for Liverpool in the Premier League this season, with just 13 minutes of top-flight football under his belt.

However, Klopp felt that shouldn’t stop Gomez from being selected for his country.

John Stones played for England against Andorra and Hungary during the international break despite not featuring for Manchester City this term.

“Sometimes Gareth reacts if you are not playing for your club you can’t play for the national team,” The Mirror quotes the Liverpool boss as saying on Friday.

“Obviously there is a special thing for Mr Stones.”

City boss Pep Guardiola has been reluctant to play Stones as he continues to rebuild his fitness after helping the Three Lions reach the Euro 2020 final.

But Klopp feels Gomez could’ve done with precious minutes for his country, given the strong competition amongst the centre-backs at Anfield.

“He’s in top shape,” continued the Liverpool boss. “Joe hasn’t been called up, it would have helped him. He’s an exceptional centre-half.

“We have five exceptional centre-backs. Nat Phillips is not in the squad but [neither is Ibrahima] Konate and Joe as well.

“Last year taught us we need at least four centre-backs but when they are all healthy, we get these questions.

“It’s not perfect every week for them but it’s the situation and they deal really well with it because of their quality.”

Gomez joined Liverpool in 2015 under Brendan Rodgers’ watch and has developed into a top-class player.

To date, Gomez – who also played at full-back during his early days at Anfield – has made 126 competitive appearances for the Reds.

Liverpool are in Premier League action against Watford at Vicarage Road in Saturday’s lunchtime kickoff.