Liverpool dealt blow as key player gets subbed out after picking up knock against West Ham

Liverpool have faced a major injury blow as key defender Joe Gomez was subbed off after being knocked off during their clash against West Ham United on Sunday, December 29. Gomez was replaced by Jarell Quansah.

Liverpool were already leading 1-0, courtesy of a Luis Diaz goal (30'). In the 37th minute, Gomez was knocked off while closing down on a West Ham attacker and limped out of the pitch. Two more goals in the first half by Cody Gakpo (40') and Mohamed Salah (44') cemented a 3-0 lead for the Reds.

Gomez's injury sparks major concerns for Arne Slot as the Merseysiders are now left with only two fit centre-backs - Virgil van Dijk and Jarell Quansah. French defender Ibrahima Konate was sidelined after picking up a knee injury during a 2-0 win over Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League in November.

As things stand, both Joe Gomez and Ibrahima Konate are likely to be unavailable for Liverpool's next league game against Manchester United on January 5. Head coach Arne Slot will likely provide a more concrete update on Gomez's condition after the match against West Ham.

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Liverpool boss Arne Slot provides fitness update on Ibrahima Konate and Conor Bradley

Arne Slot - Source: Getty

Shortly after Liverpool's 3-1 win over Leicester City in the Premier League on Boxing Day, coach Arne Slot provided a fitness update on Ibrahima Konate and Conor Bradley.

"There is a week in between [after the match against West Ham United]. Let's see how close they are then. It is difficult to tell you at this moment because they don't train with the group yet," Slot said via the club's official website.

"Hopefully, in the upcoming days they come closer to that situation. But then again, Ibou has been out for five or six weeks maybe, Conor just as long and they are in competition with players who are completely fit and doing really well so I have to make the right judgement the moment they are back," the coach added.

Much like Konate, right-back Conor Bradley also sustained an injury during the Merseysiders' 2-0 victory over Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League. It remains to be seen whether either can return before the big game against Manchester United next week.

The Reds currently sit atop the Premier League table with 42 points strong off 17 games. A win against West Ham will give them an eight-point lead over second-placed Nottingham Forest with a game in hand.