OPINION
Liverpool defender Joe Gomez was on the cusp of forging one of the most formidable centre-back partnerships in the Premier League before he got injured in December.
His bond with Virgil Van Dijk was beginning to become abundantly clear, and they were surely on their way to being one of the best partnerships the Reds had seen in the defence.
However, that all came to an abrupt end when the 21-year-old suffered a double leg fracture, with the likes of Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip filling his spot admirably. Matip has been excellent in recent games, earning himself the first choice label under Jurgen Klopp.
The 27-year-old has featured in every single game in the league since January 19, and has played in every Champions League game apart from one. Surely he needs a rest, right?
Well, step forward Gomez, who is on the brink of making a full comeback, with his latest cameo coming in the 2-0 win over Cardiff on Sunday.
The Reds take on an already relegated side in the shape of Huddersfield on Friday, and this could be the perfect opportunity for Gomez to get some vital game time under his belt. Obviously it is good not to get too complacent about matches against the likes of the Terriers, but the low tempo of the game would suit Gomez perfectly at the moment.
Throwing him at the deep end against the top teams will not do him any good, particularly given the nature of the injury that he has just recovered from. That would be too much, too soon – so unleashing him on Friday would be absolutely perfect.
The £30,000-a-week [Spotrac] star does have the ability to get back to the form that earned him deserved plaudits, but he needs to be eased in gently.
