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Liverpool defender Joe Gomez is happy to stay put as he eyes a return to first-team action in the second half of the season.

The 19-year-old has been building up his fitness since making his comeback for the Reds’ under-23s last month following a year out with knee and Achilles injuries.

A number of Championship clubs are keen to take Gomez on loan in January but Jurgen Klopp recently informed him that he’s going nowhere and that was music to the youngster’s ears.

“We spoke a bit about the future, loan talk and stuff like that,” Gomez said.

“My aim isn’t to go out on loan. I want to challenge here - that has to be my aim after a long time out.

“I haven’t trained under him for a year. Only in the past seven or eight weeks is the first period of time I’ve got to train under him and with the team.

“Me coming back and rushing straight out, there are pros and cons to it, but it was a compliment for him to say that. I’m thankful that he sees it that way.

“I’ve got to do what I can in training and try to work my way back into things.

“At the moment I’m focused on developing and learning under him, learning the team’s style of play and being myself again.

“It is the little things, just being involved like at Middlesbrough on Wednesday, being in the dressing room, even though I wasn’t in the squad, travelling with the team and being in that environment. Those little things are big to me.”

Gomez, who ruptured his ACL playing for England Under-21s in October 2015, has rejoined a squad high on confidence after a highly promising start to the season.

“It’s got a different feel this year,” he told Liverpoolfc.com

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“I feel that when you walk into the dressing room, everyone feels as if we can beat anyone. No team can come to Anfield and we’re not confident we can beat them. That’s crucial. It shows what the manager has done.

“With the first full season here, we’ll really get to show what the team is capable of. We’re still a young team and there’s so many talented players that the team can go on to do great things in the future.

“Hopefully that happens. It’s all down to the team’s work-rate and the manager. Hopefully we can fulfil the potential.”