Liverpool defender Joe Gomez, 29, suffered a muscle injury during a preseason win over Sunderland in Nashville on July 22, forcing him off within the first 10 minutes of the match [1, 2, 3, 4]. Head coach Andoni Iraola confirmed on July 30 that Gomez will miss the start of the Premier League season because of the injury [1, 2].
Iraola described the injury as a normal muscle strain that requires several weeks of recovery. "It's not massive, it's a normal muscle injury," he said, adding, "I think it was quite clear since he complained straight away, so he will be some weeks off... it will be impossible to have him for the start of the season because we are not so far away" [1, 4]. He estimated the recovery time to be around a month but stressed it depends on progress.
Liverpool’s Premier League season begins August 23 with an away match at Newcastle United [1, 2, 3, 4]. Gomez’s absence leaves Liverpool thin in central defense, especially after the departure of Ibrahima Konaté, which Iraola acknowledged on August 6. "You've seen in these games that we are pretty thin in the centre-back position. We still don't have Virgil. The only centre-backs we have right now are Mor and Ifeanyi who are 18, just arrived at the club and are doing incredibly well," Iraola said [4].
Virgil van Dijk is currently not training with the squad and is expected to return after the US preseason tour [4]. Liverpool is relying on academy defenders Ifeanyi Ndukwe and Mor Talla Ndiaye during the preseason [4]. New signing Jérémy Jacquet could feature in an upcoming friendly against Leeds United, according to one report [4].
The club faces defensive challenges as it prepares for the new season. Gomez’s recovery timeline keeps him out at least until after the Newcastle match. Liverpool’s opening Premier League game is scheduled for August 23.
