Liverpool manager Arne Slot has confirmed that defender Joe Gomez is set to miss “large parts” of the remaining season due to a hamstring injury, which may necessitate surgery.
The England centre-back was forced off just 11 minutes into Liverpool’s FA Cup fourth-round loss to Plymouth Argyle on February 9. This was Gomez’s first match back after a six-week absence caused by a prior hamstring issue.
The club is still assessing whether the 27-year-old, who has managed only 10 starts this season, will require surgery. However, Slot stated that regardless of the decision, Gomez faces an extended spell on the sidelines.
“It’s a big blow for Joe and for us,” said Slot.
“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.
“So that’s always very hard for a player in every part of the season, let alone a part of the season everyone is looking forward to.
“He will miss large parts of the end of the season but we expect him to be back in the final phase of the season.”
Liverpool face Aston Villa at Villa Park on Wednesday (19:30 GMT), when they will be hoping to go 10 points clear at the top of the Premier League table with a victory.
Cody Gakpo, who missed Sunday’s 2-1 win against Wolves at Anfield because of a knock, remains absent for Liverpool.