Image Credits: Imago Images
The English defender’s struggles to stay fit continue.
Joe Gomez may have felt that he was finally finding rhythm again in a Reds shirt as he stepped onto the field against Brighton on Saturday afternoon.
His inclusion on the pitch marked his fifth consecutive appearance, his longest run since December 2024, and his second start in five days having been preferred to Conor Bradley in Liverpool’s 1-0 win at Inter Milan in mid-week.
But, with 26 minutes on the clock, Joe Gomez pulled up, off the ball, and set down in the centre-circle, with that familiar sense of doom creeping in.
Mohamed Salah replaced him, and midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai was once again moved out of the position where he deals the most damage and slotted in at right-back.
A far from ideal development for Arne Slot who already has Jeremie Frimpong sidelines, and Bradley was out suspended for the game.
Slot will now have to call upon Bradley again, but as he is now the only senior recognised right-back at the club, it’ll be a lot of pressure on the Northern Ireland international to stay fit.
There are rumours that Frimpong could be set to return to training ahead of Liverpool’s clash with Tottenham Hotspur on December 20th but that is unconfirmed.
Liverpool could now be set for an extended period without their No.2 again, with the announcement arriving that a scan has been booked in to assess the severity of Gomez’s injury.
A scan does not necessarily mean that it will be a serious issue for Gomez, but a player requiring a scan at all is never a positive sign, especially given the Englishman’s injury record.
Back in February, Gomez underwent a scan on his left hamstring after suffering a recurrence of the injury from December that kept him out for three months.
It is not yet known whether that is the same leg.
Joe Gomez has been a terrific servant for LFC throughout ten years at the club, but his inability to stay fit for an extended period of time has no do doubt been frustrating the defender for some time now.
Arne Slot explained his decision to manage Joe Gomez following the win yesterday, saying:
“People now maybe understand a bit better why I was always so cautious not to play him so many games. I assume many people thought, ‘If you have a defender, if you have a right full-back, why don’t you play him?’”
Joe Gomez set to have a scan to determine the extent of the hamstring injury he picked up today.
Really hope it’s only minor. He was outstanding first 20mins today. https://t.co/X3IbgnHWKL
— James Pearce (@JamesPearceLFC) December 13, 2025
Read more: Brighton manager explains why his side lost to Liverpool
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