Liverpool: Crystal Palace reaction; competition in race for midfielder; Gomez return update

By Sam Leveridge

After a thrilling victory over bogey team Crystal Palace yesterday, which saw the Reds take the lead on three separate occasions in a six goal game, Jurgen Klopp told BT Sport:

“In the first 15 minutes we were not really at 100% then in half an hour we created chance after chance. It was a close game and a deserved win at the end. I’m a very happy man. The defensive error we made for the first goal is because we are not at the limit of our concentration. The aggressiveness was not there at the start of the game. But I saw a lot of wonderful things today offensively.”

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Emre Can opened the scoring before Dejan Lovren’s error allowed Palace to draw themselves back level, only for the Croatian to put his side back in front. James McArthur scored his second with another header, but this time a header from Joel Matip and an exquisite Roberto Firmino finish put the Reds out of sight.

In the reported pursuit of unwanted Inter Milan midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia, Liverpool could have competition as Goal Italy claim that Marseille are checking out the Frenchman. Kondogbia is not wanted by Inter and they are desperate to sell him in January, with Liverpool hoping to strike a bargain deal for a player with a lot of potential.

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The 23-year-old holding midfielder is seen as good competition for Emre Can and a long term replacement for Lucas Leiva but has not started a Serie A game in over a month as the Italian side look to freeze him out ahead of a sale in January.

Klopp has been buoyed by the return of young defender Joe Gomez in recent weeks after over a year out of action with knee and Achilles injuries, with the former Charlton man yet to kick a ball under Jurgen Klopp since his appointment. Gomez is now nearing a return, and Klopp told the Liverpool Echo:

“In the next few weeks, maybe in the international break when we can get a game or something, he will play a few minutes and then we will have a look what makes sense, U23s or whatever. He looks good, he feels good. He is tired a lot, especially after the sessions, but that’s normal he is all in a good way.”

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The 19-year-old is highly rated by coaches at the club, including Klopp, who are keen to see what he can do. A loan move still seems likely unless he can impress the boss enough to earn a starting spot and defend his position before the January transfer window opens with Bournemouth and Huddersfield keen on the youngster.

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