OPINION
Liverpool were rocked on Monday by the news that Reds defender Joe Gomez is set to undergo surgery to help aid his recovery from a lower leg fracture.
The club announced the news on their official website, stating that the procedure will enable a more complete recovery. The 21-year-old is still expected to play again this season, but that might be wishful thinking at this point.
There’s no getting away from the fact that this revelation is a major blow to Liverpool’s title challenge. Just two points ahead of Manchester City at this moment in time, they have now lost one of their most crucial defenders for an even longer period than first imagined.
Jurgen Klopp now has to face the reality that his first choice centre back duo is now out of commission for the foreseeable future. Instead, he will have to hope that Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip can stay fitter than they have been able to of late.
Even if they do, though, both men are a far cry from Gomez. The England international compliments Virgil van Dijk perfectly and the Reds just don’t look as assured when Lovren or Matip line up alongside the Dutchman.
Questions will now be asked over the club’s January transfer policy. Why wasn’t a centre half brought in? Why was Nathaniel Clyne allowed out on loan? However, there’s nothing that can be done about that now.
Klopp must find a way to minimise the impact of any potential mistakes from Lovren or Matip, of which there will inevitably be some. It is now vital that Fabinho be used in holding midfield in almost every game moving forward, to allow for greater protection in front of the back four.
Ultimately, though, it’s going to be hard to paper over the cracks of Gomez’s absence. He and Van Dijk proved to be the finest centre back partnership in the Premier League in the first half of the season, and his loss will be absolutely colossal.
A Liverpool side that after Manchester City’s defeat to Newcastle United looked to be cruising to the title now enters rather choppier waters, and Gomez’s absence could be just the thing to sink the ship.
