Joe Gomez is set to miss the opening fixtures of Liverpool's Premier League campaign after sustaining a muscle injury, but the setback is unlikely to force any major changes to the club's transfer agenda. The 27‑year‑old defender was forced to leave the pitch early in the first half of Liverpool's pre‑season friendly against Sunderland in Nashville when he complained of a sudden muscle problem. New manager Andoni Iraola was quick to confirm that the exact timetable for Gomez's return remains uncertain, but he ruled the player out for the first league match against Newcastle United on August 23, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
"Joe has a muscle injury. It was evident straight away because he signalled the pain, so the recovery period will depend on how his body reacts," Iraola explained. "We are looking at a few weeks on the sidelines for him." When pressed for a more precise estimate, the Liverpool head coach added that muscle injuries are notoriously tricky to date.
"With muscle problems you can never give a single day, but in my experience I usually budget around a month," he said. "If his rehab goes exceptionally well the lay‑off could be a little shorter; if not, it could stretch a bit longer.
It's not a serious tear, just a typical muscle strain, but I think it will be impossible for him to feature in the season opener because we are not that far away. It shouldn't be a huge amount of time beyond that." The injury comes at a time when Liverpool are already juggling a busy pre‑season schedule and a busy transfer window. Sky Sports analyst Vinny O'Connor noted that despite the lack of depth in central defence, the club's immediate transfer priorities lie elsewhere. "Liverpool's current target is a wide forward rather than a centre‑back," O'Connor said, adding that the Reds are preparing a formal approach for PSG winger Bradley Barcola.
"Gomez's problem is seen as a short‑term issue, and Iraola expects the defender will miss only the opening game before being back in the squad." Meanwhile, Virgil van Dijk is set to return from his post‑World Cup break this week and will report to Liverpool's training base in England rather than travelling to the United States. The Dutchman's return will provide a much‑needed boost to a back‑line that has been thin on options following Gomez's injury.
Other defensive players still on the sidelines include Giovanni Leoni, who is recovering from an ACL rupture suffered early last season, and new signing Jeremy Jacquet, who is working his way back from a shoulder problem and is expected to make his pre‑season debut against Leeds United on Sunday. Given the current circumstances, Liverpool could realistically begin the new campaign with only Van Dijk and Jacquet as the senior centre‑backs available for selection.
Iraola acknowledged this shortage in Thursday's press conference but praised the performances of the young players who have stepped up. "You have seen the games – we are quite thin in the centre‑back department," he said. "We still don't have Virgil back fully. The only genuine centre‑backs we have at the moment are Mor and Ify, both 18, who have just joined the club and are doing incredibly well." He also highlighted Luke Chambers, who, although not a natural centre‑back, performed admirably in that role during the pre‑season fixtures.
"On Wednesday, Luke played there. He is not a centre‑back but he did a great job.
We have to be patient until the senior bodies recover," Iraola added. "I think Jeremy is ready to go and we will have Virgil soon, but I'm pleased that the team, even with 18‑year‑old centre‑backs against Sunderland, Wrexham and other strong sides, showed composure and solidity at the back. That says a lot about the youngsters." In the wider transfer market, Sky Sports' Lyall Thomas reported that PSG are close to finalising a deal with Monaco for Maghnes Akliouche, while winger Yan Diomande is edging nearer to a move to Real Madrid.
Liverpool have also made initial contact with Monaco regarding Akliouche, but the primary focus remains on securing Barcola, a move that Sky Sports first reported earlier in the week. Overall, while Gomez's injury is an unwelcome blow to the defensive roster, it is not expected to derail Liverpool's broader transfer strategy.
The club appears set to reinforce its attacking options in the upcoming window, relying on the return of Van Dijk and the gradual reintegration of Gomez later in the season. The young centre‑backs stepping in during pre‑season have already shown promise, offering a glimpse of depth that could prove valuable if injuries persist.
As the season draws nearer, the Reds will continue to monitor Gomez's progress closely, hoping for a swift recovery that will see him back in the squad well before the campaign reaches its critical stages.