Joe Gomez has penned a new five-year contract with Liverpool, committing his long-term future to Anfield.

The 19-year-old defender has been identified as a central part of the Merseyside club’s future by Jurgen Klopp, despite suffering a cruciate knee ligament injury just six days after his manager’s appointment.

Gomez had already impressed under former boss Brendan Rodgers, who installed him in Liverpool’s first-choice starting line-up following his £3.5m move from Charlton Athletic.

Earlier this month, Gomez told The Independent of how his 15-month absence had affected him as a player, admitting that it had made him a “different person”.

“It certainly has made me mentally stronger,“ he said. ”I look upon things differently. I am a different person. When you have experienced something like that, you don't take things for granted any more. It gives you a different perspective. I see it as a blessing that I was able to learn from it in the way I did.”

The England Under-21 international has made a total of nine appearances for Liverpool to date, including two made this season following his recovery from injury.



His return to first-team action came earlier this month in the FA Cup third round tie with Plymouth Argyle at Anfield.

Speaking to his club's official website on Friday, he stressed how thankful he was to Klopp and Liverpool for showing faith in him throughout his long lay-off.

“It’s massive. It means a lot to me – it’s a massive gesture from the club to show that trust and faith in me. That’s why it was so important I did the same and done it so quickly, because I’m very happy here,“ he said.