Liverpool defender Joe Gomez admits having to overcome a psychological barrier regarding international duty.

Gomez is back with the England senior squad, three years since he suffered an injury at St. George's Park.

The defender had to come out from a training session in November 2020 due to a knee injury.

Asked about playing on the same pitch, he said: “I would be lying if I said it did not have a psychological toll as I left here in an ambulance quite abruptly.

“It was a bit surreal. I sort of prepared myself, mentally, but I think there was a bit of an underlying trauma that I can draw a line under, coming back. It meant a lot in that sense.

“It was the same pitch. We were doing an 11 v 11 when I got the injury. It was quite unique, it was a patella tendon rupture. I was by myself.

“I just went to play a pass. I planted my foot and then … it ruptured, it was quite gruesome. My kneecap was halfway up my leg. A lot of it is a blur because it was a bit painful.

“From that point, it was a massive part of my life, probably the hardest point in my career - just that moment because of how it happened. The last time I saw Gareth I was on the bed waiting for the ambulance. It was tough and it is a big part of my journey that I wouldn't shy away from.

“I've moved past it and a big part of my application and my motivation comes from working in that period to get back and I don't want to lose sight of that because it has shaped me into who I am. It was definitely the hardest point, not just as a footballer but as an individual, not just worrying about the future but having that uncertainty.

“It has helped shape me. I can always lean on it to keep perspective and see the positives. It's definitely changed my application in terms of everything – recovery, gym work and so on. I'm at peace with what happened."