Liverpool defender Joe Gomez admits it was 'tough' to overcome his injury troubles during the 2019/20 season.

The Englishman made just one start up until December as injuries saw him fall behind Joel Matip in the centre-back depth chart.

But Gomez turned things around as he started 21 of the Reds' last 23 league games, helping clinch their first Premier League title in 30 years.

"It was tough," Gomez told the club's website.

"I mean, I never had a period probably that long whereby I was fit but not involved. But it's part and parcel of being here and at a club of this stature.

"I had to just bide my time and keep working hard in training. It's never easy as a player to sit out and watch from the sidelines for that sort of period of time but it's part and parcel, like I say, of being here.

"Unfortunate things happen and players get injured, I knew it was important at that point that I had to play my part.

"Obviously we were in a good place already at that point come December, things were positive, where we were in the league. I was eager to not want to let anyone down, or just continue that level and play my part.

"It was a tough time but it helped shape me in a different way to [how] the injuries have. I had to look at myself and really dig deep, and understand I've got to be patient here and take it from there."