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Melwood has been a quiet place over the past month.

Most of the Liverpool squad are either on international duty or sunning themselves on a beach. None are due back until the start of pre-season in early July.

However, one member of Jurgen Klopp’s squad has been a frequent visitor to the training complex since the 2015/16 campaign ended on the crushing low of defeat to Sevilla in the Europa League final in May.

There has been little rest for Joe Gomez, who has been working tirelessly with the club’s medical and sports science staff to ensure he puts the misery of last term firmly behind him.

Read More: Where may Joe Gomez play on his return from injury?

The England Under-21s defender is on the comeback trail - some eight months after the heartache of rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee while on international duty.

It’s been a long road back for the 19-year-old, who joined the Reds from Charlton Athletic last summer for an initial fee of £3.5million.

He had endeared himself to Kopites with his composed displays at the back as he clocked up seven appearances before injury cruelly wrecked his campaign shortly after Klopp’s appointment.

There have been some dark days and long hours in the gym but his commitment and dedication to his rehabilitation since he underwent surgery has been total. Staff speak in glowing terms about his professionalism.

Working alongside Danny Ings, who also damaged his cruciate ligament in the same week last October, helped as they kept each other going.

Ings made his long-awaited return to action for the Reds on the final day of the Premier League season at West Brom. Now Gomez, whose injury was more severe, is eyeing a comeback of his own.

He’s been working outside, building up the strength in his knee, and Liverpool have a carefully planned programme for him over the course of pre-season.

The plan is to integrate Gomez back into Klopp’s squad gradually during what will be a strenous July for the players. He will do some sessions with the team and others on an individual basis.

Currently, there isn’t a target in terms of which of the eight friendlies he will be involved in but he’s on track to feature in some of them.

Gomez will be part of Liverpool’s tour of America and staff are delighted by his progress.

It’s been a tough time for the teenager but finally the end is in sight. He will be welcomed back into the fold by Klopp with open arms.