The defender is set to miss the start of the new Premier League season.
Liverpool’s defensive depth has come under increasing scrutiny during pre-season, with Andoni Iraola facing a shortage of centre-back options ahead of the new Premier League campaign.
Joe Gomez’s injury has only added to those concerns, but it appears the setback has done little to alter the club’s thinking in the transfer market.
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The Reds are already navigating a difficult period at centre-back, with fitness concerns affecting multiple players during pre-season.
While Liverpool’s lack of depth has become increasingly apparent in recent weeks, the situation has not prompted any immediate rethink behind the scenes as the club continues to focus on its priorities in the transfer market.
Iraola acknowledged after Thursday’s press conference that his squad is currently light in central defence, but the Liverpool head coach also sought to play down concerns over Gomez’s setback, suggesting it is a standard muscle injury rather than anything more serious.
The England international is now expected to miss the start of Liverpool’s Premier League campaign after picking up the problem early in the friendly against Sunderland in Nashville.
Gomez was forced off in the first half after immediately signalling that something was wrong, and Iraola has since revealed he expects the defender to be sidelined for around a month, although the exact recovery time will depend on how the injury progresses.
Despite Gomez’s absence, Liverpool are not expected to alter their transfer strategy.
According to Sky Sports News, the club’s recruitment plans remain unchanged, with signing a centre-back not currently viewed as a priority, even with the Reds facing a shortage of available options.
Instead, Liverpool’s focus remains on strengthening in attack.
The Reds are preparing to make a formal approach to Paris Saint-Germain for Bradley Barcola, with the French winger continuing to be viewed as the club’s leading attacking target before the transfer window closes.
There are mitigating circumstances behind Liverpool’s defensive situation.
Giovanni Leoni is continuing his rehabilitation from the ACL injury he sustained early last season, while summer signing Jeremy Jacquet is only now nearing full fitness after spending an extended spell on the sidelines with a shoulder injury.
The French defender may make his first pre-season appearance against Leeds United on Sunday with Andoni Iraola admitting he is still unsure whether to gift the player his first appearance for Liverpool as he looks to ease him back into first-team action.
As things stand, Virgil van Dijk and Jacquet could be Liverpool’s only available senior centre-backs when the new Premier League season begins if Gomez, Leoni and the rest of the injured defenders remain unavailable.
However, the club’s hierarchy are understood to be sticking to their existing recruitment plan for now, although that stance could yet evolve later in the transfer window should circumstances change.