The news regarding Liverpool defender Joe Gomez only seems to be getting worse, not better. After the 21-year-old fractured his leg against Burnley earlier this season, his time table for return was estimated to be about six weeks. Now it is two months later, and things have not improved.
In fact, the Gomez setback could require surgery, which would then effectively end his season. “I don’t know,” Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp responded Friday when asked about the possibility of surgery for Gomez.
“We will see. It is possible, probably. It is not exactly going how we want, that’s how it is,” the German continued during his prematch news conference ahead of the West Ham United fixture on Monday night.
“He needs more time. We will see exactly how we do it.”
Meanwhile Trent Alexander-Arnold is getting nearer to a return, as he continues his comeback from a knee injury. Central defender Dejan Lovren was back on the bench against Leicester City in midweek and will now be in contention to start.
Slowly but surely, the Liverpool defender injury crisis seems to be abating somewhat. Also, Rhian Brewster and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain join Gomez in the long term injury absentee category.
In switching over to the hosts, the biggest worry surrounds the stellar Marko Arnautovic, who was forced off early at Wolves on Tuesday night due to an ankle injury. The latest reports indicate that he faces a race against time to be fit for the game.
The Hammers also have doubts in Samir Nasri, Lucas Perez and Aaron Cresswell. Additionally, Winston Reid, Carlos Sanchez, Andriy Yarmolenko all remain long term injury absentees.
Liverpool at West Ham United FYIs
Kickoff: Monday, February 4, 8pm, London Stadium
Google Result Probability: Liverpool win 70%, Draw 19%, West Ham United win 26%
Odds via Betfair: Liverpool 4/11, Draw 4/1, West Ham 7/1
Liverpool FC Starting XI Prediction: go to this link
Prediction: Liverpool 2, West Ham United 0
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, regularly appears as a guest pundit on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
He also contributes sociopolitical essays to Chicago Now. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram. The content of his cat’s Instagram account is unquestionably superior to his.