Liverpool defender Joe Gomez faces lengthy injury lay-off | OneFootball

Liverpool defender Joe Gomez pulled up just ten minutes into his return in the FA Cup match-up against Plymouth Argyle. According to The Atheltic, the England international centre-back sustained a hamstring injury.

The setback leaves Liverpool manager Arne Slot with a selection headache as the Reds enter a crucial period of five league matches in just 15 days.

Gomez,  who is on £85k a week (Spotrac), was coming off a six-week lay-off with a similar hamstring issue, making his premature exit all the more devastating for the Reds.

The Liverpool medical team are conducting further assessments to determine the severity of the damage and whether surgery will be required. Surgery will mean he cannot play again for the rest of the season.

The timing could not be worse for Slot, who now faces the prospect of navigating a congested fixture list with only Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, and the young Jarrel Quansah as his recognised senior centre-backs.

The Liverpool rearguard could use some recharge. Van Dijk has played all 24 league games, and Konate has been shaky recently, giving away a free-kick that led to a goal against Everton. He was caught out by Everton’s cross-heavy approach several times.

Midfielder Wataru Endo could fill in at the back, but it is not an option Slot would love to resort to. Gomez’s experience and presence will be sorely missed.

Adding to the Liverpool concerns, Curtis Jones will be absent for the clash against Wolverhampton Wanderers this Sunday following his red card in the fiery Merseyside derby draw against Everton.

Tyler Morton is also on the injury list after undergoing shoulder surgery. He is out for approximately three months. His season is likely over.

Despite the growing injury list, Liverpool remain resolute at the Premier League summit. The draw at Goodison Park extended their lead to seven points over Arsenal, with 14 games still to play. However, the Reds must maintain their charge for the title amidst this sudden injury crisis.