Soccer

Joe Gomez out of Champions League final and World Cup

Liverpool and England defender has undergone ankle operation

Joe Gomez has been ruled out of the Champions League final and World Cup. Photograph: Peter Powell/EPA

Tue May 8 2018 - 15:52

Liverpool defender Joe Gomez admits he is "gutted" after an ankle operation ruled him out of the Champions League final and this summer's World Cup with England.

The 20-year-old has had surgery to correct a problem initially sustained on international duty during his third appearance for the England senior side in March’s friendly with Holland.

Late last month Gomez admitted he had probably returned too early such was his desire to help his club side and after looking well off form in draws against West Brom and Stoke, the decision was made to take medical intervention.

“Gutted to confirm my season for both club and country is over having undergone successful ankle surgery,” Gomez wrote in an Instagram post.

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“Been a tough few weeks trying everything possible to be available on the pitch to help the team.

“I’m going to do all I can to get back and be in the best possible shape for pre-season.

“The focus now is to support the team in the two biggest games of the season.

“Thank you for all your support over the course of the season.”

Gomez impressed in his first two appearances for the England senior side last year, featuring in the 0-0 draws against Germany and Brazil in November, and seemed set to be included in Gareth Southgate’s squad for the tournament in Russia.

But Liverpool confirmed, in a short statement, Gomez would be fit again for the start of the club’s pre-season training schedule in July following a period of rehabilitation.

It is another injury blow as the Reds have already lost Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (knee) and Joel Matip (thigh) for the remainder of the campaign while Emre Can has not played since mid-March because of a back injury.

Adam Lallana faces a race against time to prove his fitness for the Champions League final against Real Madrid and the World Cup after a hamstring problem sustained five weeks ago.

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