Joe Gomez: I've dreamt of that moment

Having been sidelined since the start of last season with a serious knee injury, the 19-year-old ended a 465-day wait for first-team action as he featured in the club's youngest ever starting XI.

Gomez was unable to make a winning return, with the Pilgrims holding on manfully for a 0-0 draw that secured them a replay at Home Park.

But, on a personal level, the young defender was delighted to finally experience the moment he had been targeting since his first campaign with the Reds was cruelly cut short.

"It meant a lot to me after being out for such a long time, it's something I dreamt of," he told Liverpoolfc.com.

"But the main thing was the result and we've got to try to get that in the [replay]. For me, it was nice to be back playing at Anfield.

"Coming back out to that crowd at Anfield was something in the back of my mind the whole time. 

"It was important for me to get back to this point but now [I need to] keep pushing on and try to get back playing and [be] regularly involved. 

"It was a big moment for me to be back involved again but it's about pushing forward and [to] keep learning."

LFCTV GO: Joe Gomez offers his post-match reflections

Gomez also paid tribute to Jürgen Klopp for the support he has received during his lengthy lay-off, adding: "He's been a massive help for me and spoke to me when he needed to and kept me going mentally. 

"He's a top-class manager and everybody knows that, so it's been great for me to learn under him and hopefully that continues."

Reflecting on the game specifically, the England U21 international was keen to underline just how hard it can be to break down packed defences such as that which the Reds faced in their first FA Cup outing of the season.

"I think it was a difficult one. We defended well, kept solid at the back and played as a team but, obviously, it was a young side for us and we weren't able to break them down," he explained.

"Everyone will go again and we keep moving forward. It's hard because teams are going to come here and try to sit off and try to defend. 

"It's hard for us to break them down and it's harder when you don't do it early doors and get the goal early on. 

"We stayed switched on and tried to do it but we move onto the next game and try to take the positives."

And the Catford-born defender is hoping he and his fellow youngsters will get another chance to put Derek Adams' side to the sword when the Reds head to Devon looking to finally book a fourth-round berth. 

He continued: "Hopefully. Everyone's eager and hungry to play - that's one of the positives of having a young team. 

"I think everyone will learn from this game and we hope we'll be able to come back in and try to get the result."