Liverpool started the season with only one recognised left-back – Alberto Moreno – and he was quickly overlooked in favour of makeshift defender James Milner.

The experienced midfielder has done a fine job in that position, but with the January transfer window coming up it would be no surprise if Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was planning to strengthen in that area.

However, the recent return to action of 19-year-old Joe Gomez may have changed his plans.

Gomez may have only made seven first-team appearances for Liverpool to date, but he proved prior to his anterior cruciate ligament injury that he has all the attributes to excel at Anfield.

Arriving from Charlton Athletic, the teenager quickly made the left-back spot his own before his major blow, and while he will not be rushed back, he could ultimately offer a fine alternative to Milner and Moreno.

Joe Gomez had to sit on the sidelines after his maiden season at Anfield went wrong; he had to watch from afar as a new manager, with a reputation of improving players to unfathomable levels, worked his magic and directed a directionless club into two cup finals.

Klopp liked him, had monitored him at Charlton Athletic, and was keen to take him to Borussia Dortmund in his final summer there. Despite starting his career on Merseyside as a left back under Brendan Rodgers, the German boss was thought to be an advocate of Gomez playing centre back.

By the time January rolls around Gomez will have six more weeks of fitness work under his belt, while he will have continued his recovery with outings for the under-23s.

A 45-minute appearance in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Accrington Stanley on Sunday is a step in the right direction, and if he does not suffer any setbacks Gomez could ultimately save Liverpool a few million pounds while making up for lost time.