Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has revealed that Joe Gomez will have to endure surgery on the leg fracture he sustained against Burnley in December.
It is unclear whether the 21-year-old central defender will be able to return to action this season and Klopp admits his lengthy absence is a massive blow.
Gomez, who picked up the injury two months ago in a challenge with Clarets captain Ben Mee, was initially set to be out of action for six weeks.
"Obviously being out for longer than we'd first hoped for is hard to swallow," said the player.
"It's part and parcel of the industry. It was an injury caused by an impact, like nearly all the injuries I've had in my career, so I know it's just a case of when it's fully healed I'm good to go again."
Meanwhile, Klopp admitted: "It's a blow for the boy and for us - because prior to the injury he was in such fantastic shape.
"He is too valuable to take any risk with, both for our present and future, so we get this procedure done and he comes back when he's ready.
"His attitude during this rehab has been outstanding but it just hasn't healed as we'd have liked, so we will make this intervention and then he will come back."
Liverpool, 8/13 to win the Premier League title this season, can be backed at 4/11 to beat West Ham United on Monday and at 1/1 to keep a clean sheet against Manuel Pellegrini's team.
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Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has revealed that Joe Gomez will have to endure surgery on the leg fracture he sustained against Burnley in December.
It is unclear whether the 21-year-old central defender will be able to return to action this season and Klopp admits his lengthy absence is a massive blow.
Gomez, who picked up the injury two months ago in a challenge with Clarets captain Ben Mee, was initially set to be out of action for six weeks.
"Obviously being out for longer than we'd first hoped for is hard to swallow," said the player.
"It's part and parcel of the industry. It was an injury caused by an impact, like nearly all the injuries I've had in my career, so I know it's just a case of when it's fully healed I'm good to go again."
Meanwhile, Klopp admitted: "It's a blow for the boy and for us - because prior to the injury he was in such fantastic shape.
"He is too valuable to take any risk with, both for our present and future, so we get this procedure done and he comes back when he's ready.
"His attitude during this rehab has been outstanding but it just hasn't healed as we'd have liked, so we will make this intervention and then he will come back."
Liverpool, 8/13 to win the Premier League title this season, can be backed at 4/11 to beat West Ham United on Monday and at 1/1 to keep a clean sheet against Manuel Pellegrini's team.
Source: bet365.com