Liverpool: Andoni Iraola reveals injury boost for Bournemouth return after new fear | OneFootball

Reds boss faces early reunion with former club in Premier League

Liverpool defender Joe Gomez has not suffered a fresh injury setback.

In what was his first appearance of 2026/27 due to a muscle problem picked up in pre-season, the England international was withdrawn at half time of the Reds’ 3-1 victory over Tottenham in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday.

However, Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola has allayed fears that Gomez may have suffered a setback in his injury return, revealing it was always his plan to substitute the 29-year-old, who played at centre-back.

Iraola said: “Joe has been doing the recovery process very well and with him it made sense (to come off at half-time).

“It wasn’t set but the plan was not a lot more than 45 (minutes).”

Liverpool moved safely through to the last 16 but the game was closer than the final scoreline suggested.

Alexis Mac Allister put the hosts ahead in the first half and Cody Gakpo doubled the lead shortly after the interval.

Back in action: Joe Gomez captained Liverpool in the first half against Tottenham

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However, Spurs pulled a goal back through Conor Gallagher and Omar Marmoush almost drew them level, only to be denied by a wonderful save from stand-in keeper Giorgi Mamardashvili.

Substitute Dominik Szoboszlai then sealed the win with a terrific 25-yard strike in injury time.

One of the standout performers for Liverpool was youngster Lewis Koumas, who led the line up front.

Iraola praised the 20-year-old’s contribution, saying: “He is very clear what he needs to do, what the team needs.

“Also, the energy he shows is contagious for the rest, when you see the ones up front giving everything you are kind of forced to go, go behind and use the same intensity levels. I’m very happy for him.”

Koumas was among the 10 changes that Iraola made to the side which drew 0-0 against Fulham in the Premier League at the weekend – only Ronald Araujo kept his place.

The manager explained: “I think I needed to do it because we could see the other day we lacked a little bit of energy, we needed fresh legs.”

Youngsters Trey Nyoni, Rio Ngumoha and James McConnell were also trusted with starts, with Iraola delighted with their “very, very energetic” displays.

Nyoni went off just past the hour mark against Tottenham, but Iraola has confirmed he was not injured. McConnell was withdrawn at the same time and Ngumoha exited 10 minutes later.

“I was happy for them,” Iraola said of his youngsters. “In different positions, different demands.

“But I think the best thing is probably that they were [tired] when I subbed them; Trey was cramping, Rio couldn’t have run a lot more, McConnell the same. When this happens, it’s because you’ve given us what you’ve got.

“They have especially been very, very energetic, with the willingness of winning the duels, making them feel their presence. I was happy for them.”