Andoni Iraola confirmed Joe Gomez will miss the start of Liverpool's Premier League campaign after suffering a muscle injury in pre-season.

Gomez hobbled off the pitch just eight minutes into Liverpool's friendly with Sunderland in Nashville on Saturday and played no part in their 1-0 victory over Wrexham on Wednesday.

The defender has struggled with injuries in recent seasons, managing just 17 appearances in 2024-25, though that number rose to 33 in all competitions last term.

He is now set to miss Liverpool's top-flight opener against Newcastle United on August 23.

"Joe has a muscle injury," Iraola said at a press conference in Chicago. "It was quite clear since he complained straightaway, so he will be out for some weeks.

"It's difficult to say [in terms of a timescale] – normally one month. If it goes very well, then a little bit less.

"If it goes bad, then a bit more. It's not massive. But I think it will be impossible to have him for the start of the season because we are not so far from that, but it shouldn't be a lot more."

It is a blow to Liverpool, who are short on centre-backs for pre-season. Ibrahima Konate left on a free transfer to join Real Madrid, while Virgil van Dijk is on an extended break following his World Cup involvement.

New signing Jeremy Jacquet is with the squad on their pre-season tour but has been recovering from a shoulder injury and therefore having his minutes managed.

Iraola has been fielding youngsters in his backline, but he confirmed Jacquet is closing in on some game time against Leeds United.

"You've seen in these games that we are pretty thin in the centre-back position," Iraola said.

"We still don't have Virgil. The only centre-backs we have right now are Mor [Talla Ndiaye] and Ifeanyi [Ndukwe], who are 18, just arrived at the club and are doing incredibly well.

"Luke Chambers played there [against Wrexham]. He's not a centre-back, but he played really well. Until we recover some bodies, I think Jeremy is ready to go.

"We will recover Virgil, but I'm happy that, playing against Sunderland and Wrexham with 18-year-old centre-backs, the team has shown composure and solidity at the back, and it speaks very well about them."