Joe Gomez ruled out of World Cup and Champions League final after ankle surgery

Posted Wednesday, May 09, 2018 by squawka.com

Liverpool and England defender Joe Gomez has been officially ruled out of playing for the rest of the season after undergoing ankle surgery.

The 20-year-old will therefore miss the Reds' Champions League final showdown with Spanish giants Real Madrid later this month, along with the rest of Liverpool's remaining Premier League fixtures.

Joe Gomez ruled out of World Cup and Champions League final after ankle surgery

He will also be unable to compete for a place in Gareth Southgate's England squad for this summer's World Cup in Russia.

The youngster had made 23 league appearances for the Anfield club this season, establishing himself as both a reliable and talented member of Jurgen Klopp's backline.

Gomez has since spoken of his disappointment in being unable to partake in a number of key fixtures across the next few months for both club and country, insisting that his main aim is to now get back up to speed before pre-season in July.

"Gutted to confirm that my season for both club and country is over having undergone successful ankle surgery," he wrote on his Instagram.

"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."

Gomez has only two caps for the England, but his form led some to believe he was in with a good chance of being called up to accompany Southgate to the World Cup finals, which start next month.

The former Charlton Athletic defender has had a history of injury problems, having sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury in 2015, which ruled him out for over a year.