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Slot calls Liverpool star’s injury unavoidable in intense campaign.
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot provided an update on Joe Gomez as a potentially long injury layoff looms over him. Slot substituted Gomez for Jarell Quansah in the 37th minute of the game after the 27-year-old struggled with his hamstring.
The Reds emphatically defeated West Ham United 0-5 in the away Premier League game to end the year 2024 strongly. However, after his fantastic spell with the first team, Gomez’s hamstring injury leaves a bitter taste for Liverpool despite victory.
Gomez replaced an in-form defender Ibrahima Konate after his injury against Real Madrid, playing regularly alongside captain Virgil van Dijk. The 27-year-old struggled with rustiness in the beginning but delivered key performances in and out of possession from the defence.
Liverpool secured their first clean sheet in the last five Premier League games against West Ham despite the defence’s dominance. The Reds conceded three goals in the away game against Newcastle United where the Magpies are thriving this season.
Against Fulham, Andy Robertson’s early red card played a pivotal role in Liverpool’s struggle to keep the London side quiet. Tottenham Hotspur scored two out of their three goals in Liverpool’s 3-6 away win when the Reds dropped their performance level after going 1-5 up.
At the same time, Gomez and Van Dijk dominated Leicester City after conceding a surprise early goal. Speaking to Sky Sports after the West Ham game (via Liverpoolfc.com), Slot explained Gomez’s injury and the reason behind it. He said:
“You saw today an injury of Joe Gomez. If a player says he wants to stop, he has to be changed. In a sprint, then we all know it’s a hamstring and we all know it’s going take a while before he is back. I don’t know how long but he will be out for quite a bit. These situations can happen in a season.”
Liverpool have a week before they face Manchester United next in the first Premier League game of 2025. The Reds would hope that Konate is available and fit enough to make his return to the starting eleven.
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Rest assured, Quansah delivered a strong performance against West Ham after coming in as a substitute. The English youngster has everything to resurrect his form for the Reds after a struggling start this season.
