Joe Gomez has described Liverpool teammate Virgil van Dijk as 'like a big brother' as the pair prepare to start the 2018-19 campaign as the Merseyside outfit's two centre-backs.

Dejan Lovren is unlikely to be ready for the start of the new season due to his involvement in the 2018 World Cup final with Croatia, while Joel Matip is a doubt due to a muscular problem.

As a result, Gomez, who has recovered from an ankle problem that forced him to miss the World Cup, is expected to start alongside Van Dijk in Liverpool's Premier League opener against West Ham United on August 12.

Gomez has paid tribute to the qualities of "dominant" Van Dijk, who moved to Anfield in a £75m deal from Southampton in the January transfer window.

"He is as you'd expect – dominant," Gomez told Liverpool's official website. "He is a good guy, he was skipper at Southampton and is for Holland, and his presence is felt within the camp.

"I personally get on well with him, both in terms of what we're into and banter-wise. He is a good guy and it's a pleasure to play alongside him. Hopefully I can keep learning from him and keep progressing.

"As I said, we get on well off the pitch – he's like my big brother. It's a pleasure to play with him and it's about learning from him. He is experienced, and I've got time to grow into that position [centre-back]. I enjoy playing there; hopefully we can build and keep progressing together."

Liverpool will continue their preparations for the new campaign with a pre-season clash against bitter rivals Manchester United on Saturday night.