Liverpool confirm lengthy lay-off for defender Joe Gomez

The defender has missed 11 games since being injured in a 3-1 win over Burnley

Liverpool confirmed on Monday that defender Joe Gomez is set to be on the sidelines for an extended period of time due to surgery he will undergo to aid recovery from a lower leg fracture sustained against Burnley on December 5. It had initially been expected that Gomez - who has been undergoing a programme of rehabilitation - would require six weeks out of the team to recover from the injury, which occurred at Turf Moor almost two months ago. Liverpool confirmed the surgery in a statement on the club's official website, and while there is no timeline laid out for his return to the team the club is confident that he will play again this season. "It’s a blow for the boy and for us - because prior to the injury he was in such fantastic shape," said manager Jurgen Klopp reacting to the news. “But he is too valuable to take any risk with, both for our present and future, so we get this procedure done and he comes back when he’s ready. “His attitude during this rehab has been outstanding but it just hasn’t healed as we’d have liked so we will make this intervention and then he will come back.” “Obviously being out for longer than we’d first hoped for is hard to swallow but it’s part and parcel of the industry. It was an injury caused by an impact, like nearly all the injuries I’ve had in my career, so I know it’s just a case of when it’s fully healed I’m good to go again," said Gomez regarding his absence. “The hardest part is not being able to help the team and contribute on the pitch at the moment, so it’s important I come back ready to go and this procedure will help with that. My only focus is getting back for Liverpool as soon as possible and I can promise the supporters I’ll be working hard every day to do that.”