Joe Gomez has flown home from Liverpool’s pre-season tour of Asia due to a minor Achilles injury.
Gomez complained of discomfort following Thursday’s training session at Kai Tak Stadium.
The decision was taken after the centre-back was ruled out of Saturday’s friendly against Milan in Hong Kong and Wednesday’s game against Yokohama F Marinos in Japan.
Liverpool are hopeful that Gomez won’t be sidelined for long and he will receive further medical assessment back on Merseyside.
It is another frustrating setback for the England international, who only regained full fitness this summer after missing the final three months of last season due to a hamstring injury.
Speaking to Liverpoolfc.com ahead of Saturday’s game in Hong Kong, head coach Arne Slot said: “He was with us for the first part of the week, but he had some Achilles problems.
“We thought it was better to assess it back in England and for him to work on him to come back to the team, probably in more ideal circumstances for him than be part of the group that every time goes out.
“So, we decided to let him go back to England. But we hope and expect to have him back soon.”
Before the loss of Gomez, Slot was already down to three senior centre-backs following the summer sale of Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen. Liverpool retain an interest in Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi as they consider their options in the market.
Midfielder Ryan Gravenberch will be pressed into duty alongside captain Virgil van Dijk against Milan.
Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez were both left out of the squad for the opening friendly of the tour of Asia as uncertainty over their futures continues. Diaz has been the subject of strong interest from Bayern Munich, who saw an initial offer of around £58 million turned down.
Alexis Mac Allister has resumed full training after injury and is expected to be available to feature in Liverpool’s game in Japan next Wednesday.
(Photo: Ben Roberts Photo/Getty Images)
