Jurgen Klopp hits back at transfer rumours regarding Liverpool defender

Jurgen Klopp has insisted that Joe Gomez remains incredibly happy at Anfield despite rumours linking the defender with an exit from the club.

Gomez, who has endured some testing times on Merseyside, has been a key figure for the Reds this season, featuring in a range of roles across the backline.

While he has played in his traditional centre-back spot, the 26-year-old has more regularly been used at full-back by Klopp.

Gomez has stepped in for Trent Alexander-Arnold when Liverpool's No. 66 has been absent, but is now being used as a makeshift left-back due to injuries to Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas.

There had been rumours linking Tottenham with a remarkable move for the former Charlton Athletic man during the January window, although such a deal seems hugely unlikely.

But Klopp has reiterated Gomez's significance to Liverpool's squad, claiming that the versatile defender is very happy at Anfield.

"He can play all the positions at the back and that is very important," said the Reds boss. "He didn't have a good year last year but he is absolutely back to his best. Or maybe he is at his best at the moment, because he is still a young man. It is crazy to think that - he is just for us a super important player.

"I think Joe is absolutely at home here so that is the No.1 reason (he is still here).

"Joe had the problem of too many injuries in his time here - I'm not sure exactly he number but he's been here for nine plus years if I am right - and the number of games he has had with the quality he has has nothing to do with me or Brendan (Rodgers) - he was playing quite frequently when I arrived.

"Then he was injured and he came back from international duty with the under-19s or under-21s injured. But in our most successful seasons he played centre-half next to Virgil van Dijk, very often, not all the time, but mixed probably with Joel (Matip) and Dejan (Lovren) but he played a lot of games."

Klopp added: "He never came to my office and asked: 'Can I go?' No, never. It was always sorted before it could get to that point. We sorted a new contract, he wanted to sign and he wanted to stay.

"I think he and his wife really feel he is Liverpool through and through and so that is the reason more than anything else."

Gomez has already made 24 appearances for the Reds in all competitions this term, only seven fewer than he did in the entirety of last season.

He has stood out for his impressive displays as well, arguably looking far more comfortable in a full-back role.

A player that once seemed as if he didn't have a long-term future on Merseyside, selling Gomez now seems unthinkable.