Joe Gomez explained Liverpool’s open training session at Mong Kong Stadium on Friday was focused around the defending of, and breaking from, set-pieces.
The centre-back, who expressed his desire to prove himself worthy of being a rearguard option for Jurgen Klopp in the upcoming season after battling back from anterior cruciate ligament damage, detailed the exercise in the near 7000-seater venue played out in front of a large, appreciative crowd.
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Mohamed Salah, Philippe Coutinho, Ben Woodburn and Alberto Moreno were tasked with firing in deliveries from corners as one team looked to clear them, while the other sped away trying to score under a time limit.
Around 2500 supporters watched on as Jurgen Klopp and Zeljko Buvac pushed the players through the drill in the sickly heat.
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“We were split into two sides as we’ve been playing a different team each half in the games as you know,” Gomez said after the workout.
Liverpool FC worked on defending and breaking from set-pieces in their first opening session in Hong Kong...
Posted by Melissa Reddy on Friday, 21 July 2017
“There was a lot of tactical aspects to it. We did set-pieces and broke off into on counter-attacks to focus on the switch of play and transitions, which as is a key aspect for us since we counter-press.
“We have to give ourselves protection as we jump in so it’s about getting into good habits.
“We’re just building on our on foundations and working on the flow ahead of the new season.”
The 20-year-old, who has been heavily linked with a loan move to Brighton, affirmed his ambition to play in Klopp’s defence. “I feel 100%. I know that this pre-season is a big opportunity for me to hit the ground running again,” Gomez said.
“I feel like I just have to keep pushing and try to take every opportunity that I can to progress and keep learning.
“My main aim is to play here for Liverpool and under this manager.
“My target is to get regular football and I want to play at the top level and that's what I am focused on at the moment.”
