Joe Gomez is slated to sit out the opening fixtures of Liverpool’s Premier League campaign after sustaining a muscle injury, but the setback is not expected to derail the club’s broader transfer agenda. The defender was forced to leave the field early in the first half of Liverpool’s pre‑season friendly against Sunderland in Nashville, bowing out after a sharp complaint that indicated a muscle problem.
New manager Andoni Iraola declined to give a precise timetable for Gomez’s recovery, confirming only that the player will not be fit for the upcoming clash with Newcastle United on August 23, which will be televised live on Sky Sports. "Joe has a muscle injury.
It was obvious as soon as he complained, so his return will depend on how he progresses, but he will be out for a few weeks," Iraola explained. When pressed for a more specific estimate, the coach added, "Muscle injuries are tricky to predict day by day.
I usually budget about a month for this type of problem. If his rehab goes exceptionally well, the timeframe could shrink a little; if not, it could stretch a bit longer. It’s not a severe tear, just a typical muscle strain, but I doubt he’ll be ready for the season opener because we’re not that far away.
It shouldn’t be a huge delay beyond that." Sky Sports’ Vinny O'Connor weighed in, noting that Liverpool’s transfer plans remain largely untouched by Gomez’s absence despite the limited defensive options currently at Iraola’s disposal. The club’s immediate priority is to secure a wide‑forward rather than a centre‑back, with reports suggesting a formal approach to Paris Saint‑Germain for the promising French attacker Bradley Barcola. Gomez’s injury is viewed as a short‑term issue, and Iraola expects the defender to miss only the first league game before returning to training.
Meanwhile, veteran centre‑back Virgil van Dijk is set to resume full training after his post‑World Cup break, reporting to Liverpool’s training base in England instead of traveling to the United States. Young defender Giovanni Leoni continues his rehabilitation from an ACL rupture suffered early last season, while recent signing Jeremy Jacquet is gearing up for his first pre‑season appearance against Leeds United after a lengthy lay‑off due to a shoulder problem. Given the current circumstances, Liverpool could realistically start the campaign with Van Dijk and Jacquet as the only senior centre‑backs available.
Iraola acknowledged the thinness of options at the back during Thursday’s press conference but expressed optimism about the performances of academy graduates Luke Chambers, Ifeanyi Ndukwe and Mor Talla Ndiaye, who have stepped up throughout pre‑season. "You’ve seen the games – we’re quite thin in the centre‑back department. We still don’t have Virgil back. The only real centre‑backs we have right now are Mor and Ify, both 18, just arrived at the club and they’re doing incredibly well.
On Wednesday Luke Chambers filled in, even though he isn’t a natural centre‑back, and he performed admirably. We’ll have to wait until more bodies recover," Iraola said. "I think Jeremy is ready to go and we’ll get Virgil back soon, but I’m pleased that against Sunderland, Wrexham and other solid sides, the youngsters showed composure and solidity at the back – that speaks volumes about their potential." In transfer news, PSG is nearing an agreement with Monaco for Maghnes Akliouche, with negotiations reportedly in an advanced stage.
The winger market is heating up: Yan Diomande is edging closer to a move to Real Madrid, while Liverpool is preparing a bid for Barcola. The Reds have also made initial contact with Monaco regarding Akliouche, but the focus remains on securing Barcola, a story first broken by Sky Sports News earlier in the week.
Overall, while Gomez’s injury is an unwelcome blow, it is not expected to cause a major reshuffle of Liverpool’s transfer strategy. The club appears committed to bolstering its attacking options this summer, trusting that the defensive depth will be supplemented by the return of Van Dijk, the recovery of Jacquet, and the continued development of promising youth players. The next few weeks will be crucial as the manager balances rehabilitation timelines with the finalisation of summer signings, ensuring the squad is as competitive as possible when the Premier League season kicks off.