Jurgen Klopp names only time he would allow Joe Gomez to take a penalty to end scoring drought

Time is running out for Joe Gomez to score under Jurgen Klopp before the German signs off as Liverpool manager at the end of the season. 

While Gomez has won much praise for his performances this season in a variety of roles amid the Reds' injury crisis, his lack of goals have also become something of a running joke.

The Londoner has played 210 matches for the Reds since joining from Charlton Athletic in 2015 and, throughout that time, he has failed to find the net even once. 

He is behind only Ephraim Longworth (370) and Rob Jones (243) in the list of goalless Liverpool players. 

In total, Gomez has played 245 professional matches, including 11 for England, and not found the net. 

Gomez, 26, is the only player whose arrival in the squad predates Jurgen Klopp’s time at the club and the manager has revealed the conditions in which he would allow the versatile defender to try to break his duck. 

“I don’t know how I would react if he scores – it would be spontaneous. I would let him take a penalty, but in the 89th minute if we were winning 4-0,” the boss joked, via the Daily Mail. 

“The longer without a goal, the more difficult it is. He is our protection at set pieces. He’s not even in the other penalty area to get hit by the ball because we need his speed if the opposition clear.”

Following Liverpool’s 3-0 victory over Southampton in the FA Cup last week, in which Gomez starred in central midfield, Klopp made a special request of Anfield fans. 

With the pressure growing on the player to score a goal, fans have taken to shouting “Shoot!” whenever he is in sight of goal. It’s not something which has pleased Klopp. 

"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,” he said. 

"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."

Klopp backs England recall for Gomez

Gomez has won it all for Liverpool throughout a trophy-laden spell at the club and his manager echoes the calls for his inclusion in England’s Euro 2024 squad. 

He won the last of his 11 caps back in 2020 and, with only 23 players to be selected, Klopp believes he could provide Gareth Southgate with vital cover. 

“I am not standing here telling Gareth who he should pick but you can get one player and have four positions covered,” he said. “Wonderful.”

Klopp is not the only one to heap praise on Gomez for his contributions this season.

Reds captain Virgil van Dijk called his long-time teammate one of the players of the season for his versatile displays.

Van Dijk said: “I'm just pleased for him and knowing what we have been through together a couple of years ago. And for him to be playing on that level is something he should get maybe more credit for.

“But he is a very close friend of mine and he is a very good player and has been outstanding. Maybe one of the players of the season this year.”