Seven minutes. That is how long Joe Gomez lasted in Liverpool’s preseason opener against Sunderland before his body betrayed him again. Back to the treatment room. It is a tragic comedy at this point. You have to feel for the guy. Truly. But let’s be honest: nobody is surprised. Gomez and the physio table are practically married.
Here is the punchline. Liverpool now has exactly zero fit, senior center-backs available. None. Zero. Who could have predicted this? Oh, right. Everyone.
New signing Jeremy Jacquet is still nursing a shoulder injury that wrecked his spring. Giovanni Leoni is still recovering from an ACL tear suffered last September. That leaves Virgil van Dijk, who is currently resting after his World Cup exploits. That is the entire list.
“Probably the worst news has been straight away the injury of Joe,” muttered new boss Andoni Iraola after the match. He sounded like a man who just realized his new house has termites. He thought training was going well. Then, boom. No more Joe.
Welcome to Anfield, Andoni. Lesson one: Joe Gomez is a luxury, not a foundation. If you count on him, you get burned.
Iraola plans to ease Jacquet back. Maybe he gets some minutes at the end of the US tour. Maybe. Meanwhile, the season looms. Relying on three injured, unproven center-backs and a resting veteran is a massive gamble. It is madness. But hey, what do I know? I’m just a cynical hack watching the train wreck.
