Joe Gomez returns to Liverpool training ahead of Premier League curtain-raiser | OneFootball

Liverpool have been handed a timely boost ahead of their Premier League opener against Bournemouth on Friday, with Joe Gomez returning to training.

According to The Athletic, the 28-year-old centre-back has recovered from the Achilles injury that cut short his pre-season preparation earlier this summer.

Gomez was forced to leave Liverpool’s summer tour of Asia last month and return to Merseyside for treatment, missing friendlies against AC Milan, Yokohama F Marinos and Athletic Club.

He also sat out last weekend’s traditional season-opener as Arne Slot’s side lost the Community Shield against Crystal Palace on penalties.

Both sides played out an entertaining 2-2 draw following an end-to-end contest, but Palace ultimately came out on top in the shoot-out to clinch their second trophy after last season’s FA Cup success.

After nearly three weeks on the sidelines, Gomez rejoined his teammates on Wednesday, giving Slot a welcome selection boost ahead of the Premier League curtain-raiser.

The Dutch tactician has been forced to work with just two senior centre-backs available – Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate.

The Reds are in the market for reinforcements to plug the gaping hole in the back line and have a couple of options firmly on their radar.

They allowed academy graduate Jarell Quansah to join Bayer Leverkusen on a permanent deal, but have identified Palace captain Marc Guehi and Parma’s Giovanni Leoni as key targets.

Liverpool are in active talks with Palace over a deal for Guehi, who has just one year left on his contract at Selhurst Park. Both clubs are still apart in valuation, but there’s still time to strike a deal.

The Premier League champions are also pushing to finalise a deal for Leoni and have reportedly agreed terms with him.

Meanwhile, Gomez will be focused on putting last season’s frustrations behind him. A hamstring injury disrupted his 2024/25 campaign, limiting him to just 17 appearances in all competitions.