Liverpool are actually anticipated to be with out Joe Gomez for a big chunk of the rest of the season.
The 27-year-old was compelled off early with a hamstring problem throughout final Sunday’s 1-0 defeat away to Plymouth within the FA Cup fourth spherical, in a contemporary health blow for him.
Gomez was named Liverpool captain on the day, too, making it significantly merciless.
In accordance with the Occasions‘ Paul Joyce, the centre-back is now dealing with “one other prolonged layoff” for the Reds, with the membership sending him for a “additional evaluation” on his hamstring damage.
Whereas it was hoped that Gomez’s absence could be a short-term one, this newest declare means that he’ll miss loads of the Reds’ Premier League title run-in.
It is a bitter blow for Liverpool’s longest-serving participant, who has needed to overcome so many damage issues down the years.
For Arne Slot, additionally it is an enormous concern, leaving the Reds’ head coach with simply three obtainable central defensive choices.
With Ibrahima Konate identified for being injury-prone and Jarell Quansah experiencing a troublesome second season, there may be big strain on 33-year-old Virgil van Dijk to remain match.
Wataru Endo has proven that he can do a stable job at centre-back, however the Japanese isn’t somebody that Slot will likely be determined to make use of there.
Gomez goes to be an enormous loss, each by way of high quality and flexibility, having been lauded by Slot after a superb efficiency at residence to Brighton final November.
“That is what folks instructed me once I got here in,” Slot mentioned.
“[Staff told me] Joe is a high, high, high skilled who will all the time, it doesn’t matter what place he’s in, give the perfect for the workforce and for himself in the long run as nicely.
“He received the reward for it at present, as a result of I feel the followers cherished what they noticed – I undoubtedly did.”
Hopefully, Gomez is ready to nonetheless play an enormous half within the the rest of Liverpool’s season, serving to them win a number of trophies.
If the previous is something to go by, nevertheless, it feels extra seemingly that the England worldwide will likely be watching on from the sidelines for a sustained interval.
