Jurgen Klopp makes special Joe Gomez request to Liverpool fans

Jurgen Klopp has asked Liverpool fans not to encourage Joe Gomez to shoot every time he is on the ball, following the FA Cup fifth round win over Southampton on Wednesday night.

Another youth Liverpool lineup beat Southampton 3-0 at Anfield with goals from teenagers Lewis Koumas and Jayden Danns (2) to set up a quarter-final showdown with Manchester United.

While the role of the Reds' youngsters became the main topic of conversation around the match, seasoned veteran Joe Gomez out in an impressive performance at the base of midfield for Jurgen Klopp's side.

The 26-year has featured in every position across the backline this season already in order to cover for injury absences, while he was required as the 'number six' on Wednesday night with Alexis Mac Allister rested and Wataru Endo recovering from a knock.

Speaking to LFCTV after the final whistle, Klopp heaped praise on his utility man, while making a special request to Reds fans.

The manager said: "Now he [Gomez] plays the six... Ay yai yai... the way he played is absolutely crazy.

"Can I ask the people, as funny as it is... 'shoot'. Leave the boy alone, one day he will shoot, he will find the moment himself.

"If he shoots from 40 yards just because the people are calling then I will really get a bit angry but what a boy, what a game. Absolutely exceptional."

In 233 professional games, Gomez is yet to score a goal.

With Gomez Liverpool's longest-serving first-team player, it has become something of a running joke among some fans to encourage the defender to shoot whenever he is on the ball.

The former Charlton star had two shots on Wednesday night, one which was blocked and the other which was misfired well wide, after which the television footage cut to Klopp laughing at the effort from the dugout.

Earlier this season, Gomez addressed his lack of goals, telling the We Are Liverpool podcast that even Klopp had started to joke about it behind the scenes.

He said: “I score in training! I get some in training. I don’t know, it’s weird because obviously eight years it’s never been that apparent, and now suddenly even the gaffer gave me a bit.

“He said he’d give my wife some money if I scored!

“It’s almost comical now isn’t it, I almost have to play on it.

“I don’t know how I can live up to the goal, no matter what the goal is, even the lads are giving me a bit of stick.

“School team you couldn’t stop me, I was up front, literally, then you get pushed back. I did get a few hat-tricks for the school team, that’s for sure.”