Joe Gomez expected to miss start of season after suffering injury setback

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is reportedly looking to sign a new centre-back after learning that Joe Gomez has suffered a setback on his return from injury.

The England Under-21s international was expected to make a return to action during pre-season following nine months on the sidelines with a ruptured cruciate ligament.

Gomez, who had been closing in on a comeback to full training over the past week, has now damaged his Achilles tendon and is almost certain to miss the start of the new campaign.

According to the Liverpool Echo, the Reds will now add a new central defender to their list of priority signings along with a new left-back and central midfielder.

Mamadou Sakho was recently cleared to resume his playing career at Anfield, although an Achilles injury will keep him out of action for the next four weeks, while Martin Skrtel has left the club to join Fenerbahce in a £5.5m deal.