Andoni Iraola Admits Joe Gomez Injury Is ‘Worst News’ of Liverpool Pre-Season as Jacquet Nears Return

Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola has described the injury sustained by Joe Gomez as “the worst news” of the club’s pre-season tour of the United States so far. The long-serving defender was forced off after just eight minutes of the 4-2 victory over Sunderland in Nashville, casting a shadow over an otherwise positive result for the Reds. While the full extent of the problem remains unclear, Iraola confirmed that the team had been progressing well through training without significant setbacks until Gomez’s early departure.

The Spanish coach also provided an encouraging update on summer signing Jeremy Jacquet, revealing that the £60 million centre-half is expected to feature in the final pre-season fixture against Leeds United on August 2. The dual updates offer a mixed picture for Liverpool as they continue their preparations for the new campaign under their new manager.

Gomez Forced Off Early in Nashville Victory

Joe Gomez captained the side that overcame Sunderland 4-2 at GEODIS Park in Nashville on Saturday evening. However, his involvement was extremely limited. After only eight minutes of action, the England international was withdrawn and replaced by teenager Ifeanyi Ndukwe, who partnered fellow young defender Mor Talla Ndiaye for the remainder of the match.

Gomez was able to walk off the pitch under his own power, which may offer some reassurance regarding the severity of the issue. Nevertheless, Iraola did not downplay the significance of the setback. “Probably the worst news has been straight away the injury of Joe,” the head coach said. “We were happy because we were going through training without losing any players and unluckily for us we’ve lost Joe straight away.”

The timing of the injury is particularly frustrating for Liverpool. Pre-season is a critical period for building fitness, cohesion, and understanding under a new manager, and the loss of an experienced defender such as Gomez disrupts those plans. As one of the longest-serving members of the squad, Gomez’s leadership and versatility have been valuable assets in recent seasons.

Jacquet Carefully Managed After Shoulder Surgery

While Gomez’s injury provided the main concern, Iraola was able to offer more positive news regarding Jeremy Jacquet. The French centre-half joined Liverpool in a £60 million deal during the summer transfer window but has been carefully managed since arriving. Jacquet underwent season-ending shoulder surgery in February and has not played competitive football for several months.

The defender did not feature against Sunderland as the club prioritised building his fitness through training rather than risking an early return. Iraola explained the cautious approach, telling LFCTV: “With Jeremy we decided to take it easy with him. He’s had a lot of months without playing with his shoulder injury, he’s been training very well, but we’re going to take it easy with him.”

Looking ahead, the head coach confirmed that Jacquet is likely to be involved in the final match of the United States tour. “He will play probably in the last game of this US tour, he will have time to have minutes, but we were kind of happy, but we’ve lost one now,” Iraola added. The game against Leeds United at Chicago’s Soldier Field on August 2 will therefore represent an important milestone in Jacquet’s recovery and integration into the squad.

Pre-Season Schedule Continues Across America

Following the victory in Nashville, Liverpool will return to their base in Chicago before travelling to New York for a fixture against Championship side Wrexham on July 30 (July 31 in the UK). The tour is providing valuable minutes for squad members while allowing Iraola to assess his options ahead of the new Premier League season.

The return of several key players to full training is also expected to strengthen the group. Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz, and Ryan Gravenberch are scheduled to resume training with the squad in Chicago and could come into contention for the match against Wrexham. Their availability will give Iraola greater flexibility as he continues to experiment with line-ups and tactical approaches.

Defensive Depth Under Scrutiny

Gomez’s early exit has once again highlighted the importance of defensive depth at Liverpool. With the new season approaching, the club will be hoping that the injury is not serious enough to sideline the 27-year-old for a significant period. His ability to play across the back line has made him a useful squad player in recent campaigns, and his absence would place additional pressure on other options.

The careful management of Jacquet suggests that Liverpool are prioritising long-term fitness over short-term gains during the pre-season period. Given the substantial investment in the defender, ensuring he returns to full fitness without setbacks is clearly a priority for the coaching staff. His expected involvement against Leeds will provide the first opportunity to assess how he copes with match intensity after his lengthy absence.

Iraola Building Foundations in First Pre-Season

For Andoni Iraola, this pre-season tour represents the first opportunity to work extensively with his new squad. The former Bournemouth manager has brought a reputation for organised, high-intensity football, and the early matches in the United States are allowing him to implement his ideas while evaluating individual fitness levels.

The mixed news regarding Gomez and Jacquet illustrates the unpredictable nature of pre-season preparations. While the team has largely avoided major injury problems during training, the loss of Gomez serves as a reminder that setbacks can occur at any moment. Iraola’s measured response suggests a pragmatic approach focused on managing available resources while remaining optimistic about the players still at his disposal.

Looking Ahead to the Remainder of the Tour

Liverpool’s remaining fixtures in the United States will be crucial in building momentum and fitness ahead of the new campaign. The match against Wrexham in New York offers another opportunity for squad rotation and for returning players to gain valuable minutes. By the time the team faces Leeds in Chicago, Iraola will be hoping to have a clearer picture of his defensive options and overall squad readiness.

The expected return of Jacquet for that final tour match will be particularly significant. A solid performance from the new signing would provide reassurance that the club’s investment is beginning to pay dividends and that defensive reinforcements are arriving at an important time. Meanwhile, updates on Gomez’s condition will be closely monitored in the coming days as the medical staff assess the extent of his injury.

Balancing Caution and Progress

Iraola’s comments reflect a careful balance between caution and the need for progress. Pre-season is designed to prepare players for the physical and tactical demands of a long season, but it also carries the risk of setbacks that can disrupt carefully laid plans. The head coach’s acknowledgment of Gomez’s injury as the “worst news” of the tour so far underlines the importance of the experienced defender to the squad.

At the same time, the positive update on Jacquet offers hope that Liverpool’s defensive unit will be strengthened in the near future. As the team continues its American tour, the focus will remain on managing workloads, integrating new signings, and ensuring that key players return to full fitness at the right time.

For Liverpool supporters, the coming days will bring further clarity on both situations. Gomez’s ability to recover quickly and Jacquet’s first steps in a red shirt will be among the key storylines as Iraola continues to shape his squad for the challenges ahead. The pre-season tour may have delivered an unwanted injury setback, but it has also provided opportunities for younger players and a pathway back for one of the summer’s major arrivals.