Gomez injury mars start of Iraola era at Liverpool
Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola has described Joe Gomez’s injury during the friendly win against Sunderland as the “worst news” at the beginning of his tenure. The incident occurred in Iraola’s first match since joining the club from Bournemouth in the close season, taking over from Arne Slot.
The match, which was the opener of Liverpool’s United States tour in Nashville, saw goals from Kieran Morrison, Dominik Szoboszlai, Federico Chiesa, and Lewis Koumas, securing a 4-2 victory. However, Gomez, who started as centre-back and captained the team, was forced off the field in the eighth minute of the game.
Defensive challenges for Liverpool
Gomez’s early exit has compounded Iraola’s defensive concerns. The team’s new signing, Jeremy Jacquet, is currently being carefully reintegrated after his own fitness issues, and Giovanni Leoni is in recovery following a prolonged absence. Iraola had previously stated that his squad was “very thin” defensively.
Iraola expressed his disappointment, noting that the team had avoided player losses during training until Gomez’s injury. He mentioned that Jacquet’s return is being managed cautiously due to a shoulder injury that kept him out for several months. Jacquet is expected to play in the final game of the US tour, allowing him time to gain match fitness.
Despite the injury setbacks, Iraola is hopeful that the victory will provide a foundation for improvement as Liverpool prepares to face Wrexham in New York and Leeds in Chicago. He acknowledged that there are many aspects to refine, attributing some issues to players’ heavy legs from training, which led to a lack of freshness in the team’s performance.
World Cup players returning
In other squad news, Virgil van Dijk has been granted additional time off following the Netherlands’ World Cup campaign. However, Iraola confirmed that Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz, and Ryan Gravenberch are now in Chicago after their post-World Cup breaks and are set to rejoin the squad soon.
Meanwhile, FIFA President Gianni Infantino sent a congratulatory message to Argentine FA president Claudio Tapia regarding Argentina’s performance in the FIFA World Cup 2026. The letter, which was made public, praised Argentina’s contribution to the tournament’s atmosphere and success, despite incidents that occurred at the conclusion of the tournament in New York.
Infantino’s correspondence highlighted Argentina’s “professionalism” and work ethic, which contrasts with ongoing disciplinary proceedings. Argentina’s campaign was marked by accusations of gamesmanship and simulation, culminating in a post-match incident involving Leandro Paredes, Eric Garcia, Nahuel Molina, Thiago Almada, and assistant coach Roberto Ayala following their extra-time loss to Spain in the final.
The FIFA president’s letter, dated Sunday, July 19, 2026, acknowledged Argentina’s silver medal after an exciting final against Spain at the New York New Jersey Stadium. He reiterated his congratulations for this significant result for Argentine football, describing the World Cup as an unforgettable celebration marked by spectacular matches, emerging talents, and an extraordinary atmosphere in full stadiums.
Infantino further stated that the magnificent performance of the Albiceleste decisively contributed to making this edition an exceptional event that captivated millions of football enthusiasts globally. He extended his congratulations to the players, coach Lionel Scaloni, the coaching and medical staff, and the many fans who supported the team throughout the competition, attributing their success to constant work, professionalism, attention to detail, passion, commitment, and love for the sport.
Despite the controversies, including accusations of using “anti-football” tactics during the final and an incident where Lionel Messi attempted to persuade referee Slavko Vincic to send off Marc Cucurella, Infantino concluded his message by praising the foundation laid for Argentina’s future success. He emphasized his strong personal relationship with Tapia ahead of pending FIFA investigations, wishing him well for upcoming competitions and expressing hope for a quick reunion.
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Source: vanguardngr.com
