Liverpool's win over Sunderland eclipsed by Gomez injury

Liverpool's preseason tour of the United States began with a 4-2 victory over Sunderland on Saturday, July 25, but the win was overshadowed by an early injury to defender Joe Gomez, which new head coach Andoni Iraola described as the "worst news" at the start of his tenure. The match, played at GEODIS Park in Nashville, marked Iraola's first in charge since replacing the sacked Arne Slot.

Gomez, the club's longest-serving player, started the match as captain but was forced to leave the pitch in the eighth minute after appearing to suffer a muscle issue. He was able to walk off slowly and was replaced by teenager Ifeanyi Ndukwe. The injury compounds a defensive shortage for Liverpool, with new signing Jérémy Jacquet still being eased back from a shoulder injury and Giovanni Leoni continuing his recovery from a long-term knee issue. Captain Virgil van Dijk has also yet to rejoin the squad following his participation in the World Cup with the Netherlands.

Iraola expressed his frustration after the game, stating that the squad had been progressing through training without any injuries until Gomez's setback. He confirmed that Jacquet, a major summer acquisition, is unlikely to...