Liverpool duo Joe Gomez and Virgil van Dijk step up their recovery from knee injuries with joint training sessions in Portugal as they aim to be ready for pre-season training in July
- Liverpool pair Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez are currently recovering in Portugal
- The defensive duo are rehabilitating after suffering bad knee injuries last year
- Jurgen Klopp is hoping to have both of them back for pre-season on July 12
- Liverpool have bought another defender already in £36m man Ibrahima Konate
Liverpool‘s defensive duo Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez have stepped up their recovery from knee injury and filmed themselves working out in Portugal on Wednesday.
Van Dijk has been sidelined since October with a ruptured cruciate ligament suffered after a wild challenge by Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford during a Merseyside derby at Goodison Park.
Gomez then joined his fellow centre back on the treatment table around a month later when he suffered a knee injury while on England duty.
Liverpool’s defensive duo Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez are currently recovering in Portugal
England star Gomez was filmed taking part in various exercises in the searing heat in Portugal
Gomez was later seen being put through his paces at a high-performance centre in the Algarve
Their absence caused Jurgen Klopp a major selection headache all season as the Reds surrendered their Premier League title to Manchester City without a whimper.
But now they are on the road to recovery and Liverpool are hopeful they will be able to take part in pre-season training from the off when Klopp’s men reconvene later in the summer.
Gomez and Van Dijk have been completing their rehabilitation together and the pair have taken their recovery programme to Portugal as they close in on a return.
England star Gomez posted a series of clips of him and Van Dijk being put through their paces on a training pitch.
Alongside the song and lyrics of ‘Emotionally Scarred’ by rapper Lil Baby, they were seen sprinting and completing various exercises with the ball in a gruelling session.
Gomez also posted the caption ‘On our way’ and tagged Van Dijk.
Klopp believes both players, and Joel Matip, should all be able to take part in pre-season training when his squad return on July 12.
The loss of their two first-choice defenders ended Liverpool’s Premier League title defence
Gomez and Van Dijk have been recovering together and are aiming to be ready for pre-season
There was an outside chance of Van Dijk playing for Holland in this summer’s Euros but that was ruled out by the player himself as he continues to build up his fitness.
In the trio’s absence, Fabinho, Jordan Henderson, Ozan Kabak, Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams all had to play centre back at some point in the season.
Liverpool have already made moves to correct their lack of depth in central defence, completing a £36million move for RB Leipzig defender Ibrahima Konate.
The deal will see Kabak return to Schalke following his loan spell at Anfield, but Kabak has offers from Premier League and Bundesliga sides after filling in for the likes of Van Dijk admirably.
Liverpool are also believed to be interested in signing a midfielder to replace Georginio Wijnaldum and a striker but Klopp’s budget will be impacted by player sales.
Marko Grujic, Xherdan Shaqiri, Harry Wilson and Divock Origi are among those who could leave Anfield this summer.