Liverpool's Gomez to miss 'significant part' of season after knee surgery

Liverpool defender Joe Gomez is recovering after surgery to repair a damaged tendon in his left knee, the Premier League club announced on Thursday.

Liverpool haven't ruled Gomez out for the rest of the season, but they expect he'll miss much of the 2020-21 campaign.

"Gomez will begin a rehabilitation program with the Reds’ medical team immediately, with club staff carefully monitoring his progress," read a statement. "No timescale is being placed upon his return, though the issue is likely to rule him out for a significant part of the remainder of 2020-21."

It was also revealed that the 23-year-old avoided ligament damage. He suffered the injury on Wednesday during a training session with the English national team.

Losing Gomez - who played almost every minute for the Reds during the seven matches since the October international break - further deepens the injury crisis at Liverpool. Star center-back Virgil van Dijk also suffered a serious knee injury that's expected to keep him out for the remainder of the season.

Right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold is dealing with a calf injury that forced him to withdraw from the England squad, while defensive midfielder Fabinho - who has filled in for Van Dijk at center-back - has been sidelined with a hamstring issue.

Joel Matip is one of the few reliable options who can play center-back for manager Jurgen Klopp, who will likely need to depend on youngsters Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams when the international break ends.

The defending Premier League champions sit third in the standings with 17 points through eight matches.