Liverpool defender Joe Gomez speaks of 'emotional connection' with Jurgen Klopp as he thanks his manager for supporting him during injury lay-off

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Joe Gomez has thanked Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp for helping him through his lengthy injury lay-off.

The young defender injured his anterior cruciate ligament shortly after Klopp was appointed as Reds boss in October 2015.

Gomez's injury kept him out of action for 15 months, but he returned to play every minute of Liverpool's FA Cup campaign last season and has so far featured eight times in all competitions this term.

Joe Gomez (above) has praised Jurgen Klopp's 'emotional connection' with Liverpool's players

Klopp (pictured celebrating a win at Leicester last month) is popular among fans and players

Despite being unable to train with the first team for much of Klopp's reign, Gomez told official club media that the German offered him ample support.

'He has been great for someone like me going through an injury like that and then coming back,' said Gomez. 'For him to be able to bed me in and speak to me at the same time has been ideal, and it's made it a lot easier for me in comparison to how it could have been.'

Klopp suffered the same injury as Gomez during his playing days - an experience which helped him offer tailored support to the England Under 21 captain.

But Gomez believes that the 50-year-old works hard to build an 'emotional connection' with each of his players.

And Gomez, 20, has applauded the way the affable German works with players as individuals

Gomez played seven times for the Reds in 2015 but got injured days after Klopp was appointed

Gomez explained: 'He did his ACL previously, so there was that similarity in that he understands what it's like to go through something like that and also know that when you come back things might not be quite the same. He understood the procedure and what was going on.

'With him I think it's about the individual connection – it's more than just about speaking to you as manager-to-player. There's an emotional connection there and it makes you want to play for him and for the club. He takes time out for you and I think he's aware of everyone's feelings. He's able to assess how people are feeling and is able to speak to them like normal people.'

Gomez is a versatile defender but has played mostly at right back this season in the absence of Nathaniel Clyne.

He could make his 10th Premier League start on Saturday when Liverpool take on Manchester United at Anfield.

Fifteen months later, Gomez returned from his anterior cruciate ligament injury in the FA Cup

And Gomez has featured in eight of Liverpool's 12 matches in all competitions this season