Liverpool, July 26 – Liverpool’s pre-season preparations have been dealt a blow after Joe Gomez withdrew from the club’s tour of Asia due to a minor Achilles injury.
The versatile defender has returned to Merseyside ahead of schedule for treatment at the AXA Training Centre, with the club taking a cautious approach to his recovery. According to The Liverpool Echo’s Paul Gorst, the decision was made after it became clear that Gomez was unlikely to be fit for Wednesday’s clash against Yokohama F. Marinos in Japan.
Gomez’s departure reduces Jürgen Klopp’s available squad to 28 players ahead of today’s friendly against AC Milan in Hong Kong, part of Liverpool’s two-match Asian tour. The Reds had initially named a 29-man travelling party, though Federico Chiesa was a notable absentee, staying behind at the request of club medical staff to manage a separate minor fitness concern.
The 27-year-old Gomez has endured a series of injury setbacks throughout his Liverpool career, but featured heavily last season and had been expected to play a key role in pre-season. While the Achilles issue is not believed to be serious, the club are keen to avoid any risk with the new Premier League campaign just weeks away.
With Gomez sidelined and Chiesa remaining on Merseyside, Klopp may look to some of his younger options to step up during the remainder of the tour.
Liverpool will continue their pre-season schedule with today’s encounter against Milan before flying to Japan for their final match of the Far East tour.