Liverpool’s FA Cup fourth-round tie against Plymouth Argyle got off to a rocky start when Joe Gomez was forced off with an injury after just ten minutes.
The defender, returning from a hamstring injury, struggled with his positioning and movement right from the start. A concerning exchange with goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher followed, and Gomez signaled to the bench, indicating he could not continue.
After a quick assessment, Gomez was substituted for 20-year-old Isaac Mabaya, making his senior debut in challenging circumstances. With Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté rested ahead of Wednesday’s Merseyside derby, manager Arne Slot had limited defensive options. Wataru Endo dropped into the backline, while Mabaya took the right side of defense.
Liverpool were already missing key players like Alisson, Mohamed Salah, and others, adding to their challenges. The injured Trent Alexander-Arnold and Tyler Morton were also unavailable, leaving Slot with a stretched squad.
Gomez’s injury is a worrying setback, raising concerns about his fitness and Liverpool’s defensive depth as they navigate a packed schedule. Fans will be hoping it’s not serious, but with the derby against Everton ahead, Slot’s defensive options are limited.
All eyes are now on Mabaya, thrust into the spotlight on his debut. Can the young defender help Liverpool secure a place in the next round, or will Plymouth exploit the reshuffled backline?
