<
>

Liverpool defender Joe Gomez building fitness, eyes first-team spot

Liverpool's Joe Gomez says he is still looking to build up his match fitness as he looks for a first-team recall.

The young defender is continuing his comeback following a year out with ACL and Achilles injury, and has made three appearances for Jurgen Klopp's side this season.

Gomez, who signed a long-term contract at Anfield back in January, has also been regularly featuring for the club's under-23s side and played 90 minutes against West Bromwich Albion on Tuesday night.

"It's important that I keep building," he told the club's official website. "You can always keep learning and it's good for me to keep getting minutes, as well as learning in training from everyone in the first team.

"I feel very good. I feel like I'm learning and finding myself each game. It's a great experience for me and good to come into such a strong team and be able to play a part.

"It's important that I come into every game and keep getting into good habits and doing my best to help be a leader within the team. We've got a great bunch of lads, some great talent and we have to just keep learning and building and we'll keep progressing."

The centre-back started all three of Liverpool's FA Cup ties this season, but has yet to appear in the Premier League.

Sources told ESPN FC in December that Klopp considers the England under-21 international to be the "real deal."