Joe Gomez returns to Liverpool training ahead of Premier League curtain-raiser | OneFootball

Liverpool have been handed a timely boost ahead of their Premier League opener against Bournemouth on Friday, with Joe Gomez returning to full training.

According to The Athletic, the 28-year-old centre-back has recovered from the Achilles injury that cut short his pre-season preparation earlier this summer.

Gomez was forced to leave Liverpool’s summer tour of Asia last month and return to Merseyside for treatment, missing friendlies against AC Milan, Yokohama F. Marinos, and Athletic Club.

He also sat out last weekend’s traditional season-opener as Arne Slot’s side lost the Community Shield against Crystal Palace on penalties.

Both sides played out an entertaining 2-2 draw following an end-to-end contest, but Palace ultimately came out on top in the shoot-out to clinch their second trophy after last season’s FA Cup success.

After nearly three weeks on the sidelines, Gomez rejoined his teammates at Kirkby on Wednesday, giving Slot a welcome selection boost ahead of the Premier League curtain-raiser.

The Dutch tactician has been forced to work with just two senior centre-backs available in captain Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate.

The Reds are on the market for reinforcements to plug the gaping hole in the back line and have a couple of options firmly on their radar.

They allowed academy graduate Jarell Quansah to join Bayer Leverkusen on a permanent deal, but have identified Palace captain Marc Guehi and Parma’s teenage sensation Giovanni Leoni as key targets.

Liverpool are in active talks with Palace over a deal for Guehi, who has just one year left on his contract at Selhurst Park. Both clubs are still apart in valuation, but there’s still time to strike a deal.

The Premier League champions are also pushing to finalise a deal for the highly rated Leoni and have reportedly agreed terms with the 18-year-old defender.

Meanwhile, Gomez will be focused on putting last season’s frustrations behind him. A hamstring injury disrupted his 2024/25 campaign, limiting him to just 17 appearances in all competitions.