Liverpool Injury Update: Joe Gomez latest details, recovery timeline

Liverpool are handed a big blow in the midst of their game against West Ham United at the Anfield Stadium. In the first half the reds centre-back, Joe Gomez had to be substituted with a muscle injury. He was seen acknowledging the fans as he left the field at the London Stadium on Sunday.

Liverpool won the game 0-5 from the goals of Luis Diaz, Cody Gakpo, Mohammed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Diogo Jota. The visitors have been on top in every single department of the game so far as the forwards knocked the door various times before Diaz opened the scoring.

After the victory the reds now sit eight points clear of the second placed Nottingham Forest, while boasting a game in hand.

Joe Gomez Injury Update

The English defender was very solid in the defence during his time on the pitch. He ended up being injured around the 36th minute while closing down an attack from West Ham United. Liverpool’s manager, Arne Slot substituted him to bring on Jarell Quansah, an Anfield academy product. He was seen walking off the field with the medical staff as no stretchers were brought in.

After the game, while speaking to media Arne Slot expressed doubt over the availability of the English defender for some time and confirmed it to be a hamstring injury. “In a sprint, we all know it’s a hamstring and we all know it’s going to take a while before he’s back,” he said. He also added that, “I don’t know how long, but he will be out for quite a bit. These situations can happen in a season.”

The 27-year-old is expected to undergo a scan on his hamstring at the start of next week to see whether the injury is a serious one or not.

Impact of Joe Gomez Injury on Liverpool Squad and Strategy

Joe Gomez’s injury will definitely impact the reds plans ahead. They currently sit at the top of the premier league with 43 points and a win against West Ham will strengthened their position more in the league with one game in hand. They had injury concerns in the defence with the likes of Conor Bradley and Ibrahim Konate already side lined.

Ibrahim Konate was side lined after a knee injury he suffered during the game against Real Madrid in late November while Conor Bradley suffered a hamstring in the same game. In addition to this Joe Gomez’s injury leave Liverpool manager, Arne Slot with not option in the central defence. Slot will have to look towards the academy to find solutions as the first team is very thin with option at the back.

Liverpool have a bit of time ahead of their game against Manchester United raising the probability of Konate and Bradley being back to full fitness.

Possible Replacements and Tactical Adjustments

Liverpool might opt for a back three with Virgil Van Dijk, Robertson and academy product Quansah as the trio in defence but it looks very unlikely considering Slot’s tactics. The manager might also opt for a back four with Ryan Gravenberch as a make shift centre-back. The most probable options would be a back four with a centre-back pairing of Van Dijk and Jarrel Quansah.

Their are chances that Ibrahim Konate and Conor Bradley might return early as Slot denied to mention any timeline for their injury. Konate’s return will be blessing in disguise for the reds as he the usual player that plays in defence alongside Van Dijk.

Joe Gomez Return date

The English centre-back’s expected return date from being match-fit and fully available for play is not known yet. Arne Slot in the press conference said that the centre-back will take a bit of time to return back to full fitness. The details and clarity about the injury is not yet known as the player will undergo scans in the next few days.

Also Read: PSG Injury Update: Gianluigi Donnarumma latest details, recovery timeline

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