Liverpool lose key defender to injury early in Plymouth clash

Liverpool's FA Cup clash with Plymouth Argyle got off to a miserable start when Joe Gomez limped off through injury after just ten minutes.

Gomez was making his return from a hamstring injury which saw him miss the entirety of January and lined up at the heart of a makeshift defence, but did not look comfortable from the get-go and an uncomfortable exchange with goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher hinted at a potential problem.

Just moments later, Gomez sat down on the turf and immediately signalled to the Liverpool bench, clearly believing he could not continue.

After a quick check from the Liverpool physios, Gomez was indeed withdrawn, with 20-year-old Isaac Mabaya brought on in his place to make his senior debut.

Arne Slot declined to bring either Virgil van Dijk or Ibrahima Konate to Plymouth, instead resting his star defensive duo for Wednesday's crucial Merseyside derby against Everton, so there were limited alternatives on the bench. It was Wataru Endo who slotted back in defence, with Mabaya heading to the right side of the back line.

Alisson, Mohamed Salah, Conor Bradley, Andy Robertson, Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and Cody Gakpo also did not make the journey, while the injured duo of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Tyler Morton missed out.

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