‘Some weeks off’ – Andoni Iraola confirms fresh Liverpool injury blow
Liverpool have won each of their first two games under Andoni Iraola, with the Spaniard continuing to enjoy a strong start to life at Anfield.
However, it’s not to say it’s been plain sailing, as a handful of senior players are missing due to their international commitments, while a few others are injured.
In the 1-0 win against Sunderland, Joe Gomez started the game and was even given the captain’s armband.
However, he lasted just seven minutes as he was withdrawn with what looked like a hamstring injury.
And now, Iraola has confirmed that the England international will miss the start of the season in another crushing injury blow for him.
Iraola confirms Gomez injury absence for Liverpool
Gomez is Liverpool’s longest-serving player and is held in high regard by everyone at Anfield.
However, his injury issues are becoming incredibly problematic, especially with Liverpool already short of options at the back.
The Reds are already without Giovanni Leoni, who continues to recover from his ACL injury. New signing Jeremy Jacquet, on the other hand, has yet to make his debut for the club as Liverpool are taking a cautious approach with him.
Virgil van Dijk is back and will join the rest of his teammates when they return to Liverpool, but the fact of the matter is that the Reds are wafer-thin at the back.
Speaking ahead of their game against Leeds United on Sunday, Iraola confirmed that Gomez will miss the first few weeks of the season.
“Joe has an injury; it was quite clear,” said the Liverpool manager when he spoke to the media alongside Dominik Szoboszlai yesterday.
“He is some weeks off, yes.”
Gomez joins Leoni, Conor Bradley and Hugo Ekitike on the sidelines and will undoubtedly be a huge miss for Liverpool.
His latest injury blow also increases the need to recruit a central defender between now and the end of the summer transfer window.
Richard Hughes and Michael Edwards better get to work as we don’t want another season where we’re desperately short of options at the back.
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