Liverpool defender Joe Gomez has spoken with Gareth Southgate about his return to the England squad ahead of this year's World Cup.

The 25-year-old has missed England's last two major tournaments due to injury.

He told the Liverpool Echo: "We have had conversations. Gareth is a great manager and also (England assistant boss) Steve Holland has been great in communicating with me and checking in at key moments. Fundamentally club football gives you the platform to be picked and that's got to be my focus.

"It is a World Cup year, and I do feel like I have missed out on major tournaments, more so due to injuries than anything else. I watched part of the Euros, but it was hard. It hurt to not be there.

"I obviously supported the team as I did at the World Cup, but it hurt not being a part of either of those squads. I feel I could have been there.

"But my sole focus now is Liverpool and that can give me the platform to be picked by England."