Andoni Iraola gives Liverpool injury update as star withdrawn early vs Tottenham

· Mirror

Liverpool progressed to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup at Tottenham's expense on Tuesday night and there was also some positive news on the injury front from Andoni Iraola

Joe Gomez's half-time withdrawal in Liverpool's Carabao Cup win over Tottenham was pre-planned, Andoni Iraola has confirmed.

The Reds beat their Premier League rivals 3-1 on the night to advance in the competition courtesy of goals from Alexis Mac Allister, Cody Gakpo and Dominik Szoboszlai. At the other end of the pitch, Gomez made a welcome return to action after a two month injury lay-off, starting the match alongside Ronald Araujo.

Gomez did not return to the field at half-time, sparking some concerns that the 29-year-old may have suffered a setback.

But Iraola has confirmed Liverpool's vice-captain was only ever pencilled in to play 45 minutes. “Yes, it was (planned),” he confirmed. “I think Joe has been doing the recovery very well.

> “With him it makes sense. It wasn’t set but the plan was not a lot more than 45, yes.”

Having Gomez back in the fold is a major boost for Iraola, who started the season with a dearth of senior central defenders. Araujo was signed on a season-long loan from Barcelona to provide depth at the back, while Jeremy Jacquet has also gone straight into the team following the summer departure of Ibrahima Konate.

Araujo was one player singled out by Iraola after the match. The former Bournemouth coach also lauded Gakpo, who has been in inspired form in the early weeks of the new season after talks over a proposed move to Manchester City broke down.

Andoni Iraola has confirmed it was always the plan to take Gomez off at half-time(Image: Molly Darlington/Getty Images)

> “Cody gives us not just the goals and the assists,” he said. “He gives us also physicality, he is calm on the ball and also players like him, Ronald (Araujo) and Alexis, in a team that is quite young, I think his experience has helped us a lot.

> “The three goals we scored were very good goals. The origin of the first and second goals are also very important for us but the third goal is a worldie, it is outstanding.

> “The thing with Dom is that before shooting, you are trusting he might score. With another player you are thinking it’s maybe too far but with Dom everyone is thinking he might score.”

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