Joe Gomez is slated to miss the opening fixtures of Liverpool’s Premier League campaign after sustaining a muscle injury, but the setback is unlikely to alter the club’s transfer agenda. The Liverpool defender was forced to leave the field early in the first half of the pre‑season friendly against Sunderland in Nashville when he complained of a muscle problem.
New manager Andoni Iraola declined to give a precise timetable for Gomez’s recovery, confirming only that he will not be available for the 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 was in pain, so his return will depend on how his rehab goes, but he will be out for several weeks," Iraola explained. When pressed for a more detailed estimate, the coach added, "With muscle injuries it’s always tricky to pinpoint an exact date, but I usually anticipate about a month. If his healing progresses well it could be a little shorter; if not, it may take a bit longer.
It’s not a severe tear, just a typical muscle strain, so I don’t expect him to be ready for the season opener given the limited time left. It shouldn’t be a huge delay beyond that." Sky Sports’ Vinny O'Connor weighed in, noting that despite Gomez’s absence, Liverpool’s transfer plans remain largely untouched. The club’s immediate priority is securing a dynamic wide forward rather than bolstering the central defence. Reports suggest Liverpool are preparing a formal approach to Paris Saint‑Germain for the acquisition of promising French winger Bradley Barcola.
Gomez’s injury is viewed as a short‑term issue, with Iraola confident the defender will miss only the first league game before rejoining the squad. In parallel, veteran centre‑back Virgil van Dijk is set to return from his post‑World Cup break this week, opting to report to Liverpool’s training base in England rather than traveling to the United States.
Meanwhile, young defender Giovanni Leoni continues his rehabilitation from an ACL rupture suffered early last season, and recent signing Jeremy Jacquet is gearing up for his first pre‑season appearance against Leeds United after a lengthy spell out with a shoulder problem. If the timeline for Gomez’s recovery stretches beyond the opening match, Liverpool could conceivably begin the campaign with just Van Dijk and Jacquet as the only senior centre‑backs available.
Iraola acknowledged during Thursday’s press conference that the squad is thin in the heart of defence at the moment, but he praised the performances of academy graduates Luke Chambers, Ifeanyi Ndukwe and Mor Talla Ndiaye, who have been thrust into the senior set‑up during pre‑season. "You’ve seen these games – we’re definitely short on centre‑backs. We still don’t have Virgil back fully. The only real centre‑backs we have right now are Mor and Ify, both 18, newly arrived, and they’ve been outstanding," the manager said.
"Luke Chambers even filled in despite not being a natural centre‑back and performed admirably. We’ll have to wait for the injured players to recover. Jeremy looks ready, and once Virgil is fit we’ll have a solid back‑line.
The youngsters have shown composure and solidity against teams like Sunderland and Wrexham, which speaks highly of their development." Beyond the immediate defensive concerns, Sky Sports’ Lyall Thomas reported that PSG are nearing a deal with Monaco for Maghnes Akliouche, indicating that the winger market is heating up. Yan Diomande is edging closer to a move to Real Madrid, while Liverpool are reportedly preparing a bid for Barcola. The Reds have also opened preliminary talks with Monaco regarding Akliouche, but the focus appears to be on securing Barcola as a priority target.
Overall, while Gomez’s injury is an unwelcome blow for the Reds, the club’s broader strategic objectives remain on track. The management is confident that the existing defensive options, bolstered by promising youngsters, will hold the line until the injured players return. Meanwhile, the transfer window continues to buzz with activity, and Liverpool’s pursuit of a high‑caliber wide attacker suggests that the team’s attacking ambitions are set to complement the defensive rebuilding underway. The upcoming weeks will reveal how effectively the new manager can integrate the emerging talent with seasoned veterans and whether the targeted signings can arrive in time to strengthen a squad that is already showing resilience despite the early setbacks.