News

Liverpool: Reds Dealt Joe Gomez Blow

|
Image for Liverpool: Reds Dealt Joe Gomez Blow

Versatile defender to miss top-four decider and Champions League final…

Liverpool will be without Joe Gomez for the climax of their 2017/18 campaign after the 20-year-old was forced to undergo ankle surgery.

A statement published on Liverpoolfc.com confirming the disappointing development on Tuesday, read: “Liverpool can confirm Joe Gomez has undergone an operation on an ankle injury.

“The surgery, which has now addressed the issue, means the 20-year-old will play no part in the remaining two fixtures of the 2017-18 campaign, or the World Cup finals with England.

“However, Gomez will be ready for the start of Liverpool’s pre-season training schedule in July following a rehabilitation period.”

The former Charlton player initially suffered the injury on international duty in March but turned out for Liverpool against both West Bromwich Albion and Stoke City at the end of April.

Unfortunately the latter appearance aggregated the problem and subsequent scans revealed the requirement for surgery.

Gomez will miss the club’s final Premier League game of the season against Brighton & Hove Albion at Anfield on Sunday and the Champions League final against Real Madrid in Kiev on May 26.

Reacting on Instagram, the Londoner said: “Gutted to confirm that my season for both club and country is over having undergone successful ankle surgery.

“Been a tough few weeks trying everything possible to be available on the pitch to help the team. I’m going to do all I can to get back and be in the best possible shape for pre-season. The focus now is to support the team in the two biggest games of the season.”

Gomez had made 31 first team appearances this season after fully recovering from a serious knee injury that restricted him to just three outings last term.

He joins Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (knee) and Joël Matip (thigh) on the sidelines for the remainder of the campaign, while uncertainty continues to surround Emre Can, who is still struggling with a back injury picked up against Watford on March 17.

Vital Comment

Such disappointing news for player, club and country. Despite a couple of errors, Gomez has excelled this season and offers an option at both centre-back and full-back. Thankfully Nathaniel Clyne is back to provide cover for Trent Alexander-Arnold down the right, and, in the absence of Matip, Ragnar Klavan is around should anything happen to either Virgil van Dijk or Dejan Lovren in the middle. Hopefully the rehabilitation goes well and he actually benefits from not going to Russia with England. Like many fans, we see Gomez as a future partner for van Dijk, regardless of him playing predominantly at full-back during his Liverpool career to date.


What do you think about this article? Let us know your thoughts and opinions below or via social media…


Follow me on Twitter @superbag

At Vital Liverpool we’re always looking for contributors so if you’re an LFC fan who wants to share his or her opinion with the masses, simply email articles/blogs to liverpool@vitalfootball.co.uk

Share this article

Editor & ex-Anfield Roar Columnist