Joe Gomez is expected to miss the start of Liverpool's Premier League season due to a muscle injury sustained in a friendly against Sunderland. New head coach Andoni Iraola stated that Gomez will be "some weeks off" and unlikely to be available for the August 23rd opener against Newcastle.

Despite the defensive setback, Liverpool's transfer plans are reportedly unaffected. The club's priority remains securing a wide forward, with Liverpool preparing to make a formal approach to PSG for Bradley Barcola. While Iraola acknowledged the team is "thin in the centre-back position," he expressed confidence in young players like Mor Talla Ndiaye and Ifeanyi Ndukwe, alongside the returning Virgil van Dijk.

Other defensive options include Giovanni Leoni, who is recovering from an ACL injury, and new signing Jeremey Jacquet, who is nearing match fitness after a shoulder problem. Liverpool may enter the season with only Van Dijk and Jacquet as senior center-back options, but the focus remains on bolstering the attack.