Liverpool are set to be without another first-team player for Monday's Premier League meeting with Crystal Palace.
Jurgen Klopp's side are already without Caoimhin Kelleher, Calvin Ramsay, Curtis Jones, Diogo Jota, Ibrahima Konate and Thiago Alcantara for the visit of Patrick Vieira's men and could now have lost another key individual in the form of Joel Matip, who is facing a race against time to be fit.
Such news means there is every chance Virgil van Dijk could be partnered by Joe Gomez, who developed a strong relationship during the Reds' title-winning campaign. Aston Villa secured a shock 7-2 win over Liverpool the last time the pair featured as a defensive duo, though this can very much be considered a freak result.
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Gomez is one player who knows all too well the frustration of missing matches due to being stuck on the sidelines, but could now have been presented a way back into the starting-eleven. Limited to eight top-flight appearances last term, the 25-year-old should seize any potential opportunities that come his way and aim to give Klopp food for though regarding who his ideal centre-back partners should be.
Matip managed to battle his own injury issues last season to feature in the highest number of matches in a single campaign during his time as a Liverpool player, but could now be about to see history repeat itself. Although disappointed to learn of another first-team player being a doubt for Saturday, Reds supporters on social media are hopeful it could provide Gomez the platform to get his career back on track.
Below is a selection of posts from fans, reacting to the club's latest fitness concern.
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