Liverpool's Joe Gomez faces another setback as manager Arne Slot reveals the defender might need surgery for his recurring hamstring injury, potentially sidelining him for a significant portion of the remaining season.
The 27-year-old England center-back's latest injury occurred during Liverpool's FA Cup fourth-round defeat to Plymouth Argyle on February 9, where he was forced off after just 11 minutes. This unfortunate incident marked his return to action following a six-week absence due to a previous hamstring issue.
Slot expressed his concern during a news conference, stating, "It's a big blow for Joe and for us." The manager detailed how Gomez's injury manifested almost immediately upon his return: "He works really hard to come back and then the first game when he came back after two or three minutes we saw him making a sprint and now he is out for weeks again."
The situation is particularly challenging for Gomez, who has been limited to just 10 starts this season. While the club hasn't made a final decision regarding surgery, Slot indicated that the defender will be absent for "large parts of the end of the season" regardless of the treatment path chosen. However, there is some optimism as the manager expects Gomez to return "in the final phase of the season."
The timing couldn't be more crucial for Liverpool, who are currently leading the Premier League title race. The team faces Aston Villa at Villa Park on Wednesday evening, where they have the opportunity to extend their lead at the top of the table to 10 points with a victory.
In additional team news, Cody Gakpo, who missed Sunday's 2-1 victory against Wolves at Anfield due to a knock, remains unavailable for the upcoming fixture.
