Liverpool are set to be without defender Joe Gomez for their Premier League opener after he sustains a muscle injury during pre-season. Multiple reports say the injury occurred in a pre-season match against Sunderland, in which Liverpool won. The muscle problem is expected to keep Gomez sidelined at the start of the league season, creating a defensive setback for the club. While the reports agree on the timing and nature of the injury, they do not detail a specific recovery timetable or medical diagnosis beyond describing it as a muscle injury. The development also adds to Liverpool’s early-season personnel considerations as they prepare for the first league fixture. Liverpool will assess Gomez’s condition and determine the next steps for his rehabilitation, with his availability dependent on how the injury responds to treatment and rest. The reports focus on the immediate impact on the team’s defensive options for the opener rather than any longer-term prognosis.