Joe Gomez believes Liverpool's strength in depth will be a key factor in their attempts to retain the Premier League title.
The Reds entered Saturday's Community Shield with as many as six first-team players absent through injury as they drew 1-1 with Arsenal before suffering a penalty-shootout loss at Wembley.
Joel Matip, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Divock Origi, Xherdan Shaqiri and captain Jordan Henderson were all ruled out for the game against the Gunners as the Reds were beaten for the second successive season in the curtain raiser on spot-kicks.
Despite the number of injuries, the champions looked a better prospect in the second half with the introduction of Takumi Minamino and Naby Keita and with the likes of Henderson and Alexander-Arnold on their way back to full training, Gomez thinks squad depth is strong.
“The quality coming off the bench [on Saturday] showed that [strength in depth] and they brought a real bright spark into the game," Gomez told Liverpoolfc.com.
“That’s going to be so important for us this year. We’ve always had such a strong squad but I think now more than ever and hopefully we can use that and I think everyone will play their part.”
The Reds centre-back says Jurgen Klopp has told his players to expect a mental battle this season as they attempt to fend off the likes of Manchester City again this term.
But Gomez has claimed the entire Liverpool squad are "hungrier than ever" for the biggest trophy in English football.
He added: “Obviously it was a short break and then we had the restart and then the period when we switched off for a couple of weeks and that was that.
“But I think more than anything, the gaffer instils in us that it’s a mental battle more than physical half the time, so we’ll be ready and we have a squad full of quality to rotate when needs be.
“The main thing is, mentally we are ready to go. And I think everyone is hungrier than ever.”
The champions begin their new Premier League season at home to Leeds United on September 12 before travelling to Chelsea eight days later.
