Raphinha scores hat-trick in 100th appearance for Barca
Brazilian winger Raphinha celebrated his 100th appearance for FC Barcelona with a hat-trick goal against Bayern Munich in the Champions League encounter on Wednesday night.
Liverpool defender Joe Gomez’s season is over after the club confirmed the fullback underwent an ankle surgery on Tuesday.
“Liverpool can confirm Joe Gomez has undergone an operation on an ankle injury,” a statement on the Reds’ official website read.
“The surgery, which has now addressed the issue, means the 20-year-old will play no part in the remaining two fixtures of the 2017-18 campaign, or the World Cup finals with England.”
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Gomez, 20, has been a regular for Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool side this season and racked up 21 Premier League starts before getting injured.
His last game was a league tie with Stoke on April 28, when he completed the full 90 minutes as the Reds were held to a 0-0 draw.
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“However, Gomez will be ready for the start of Liverpool’s pre-season training schedule in July following a rehabilitation period,” the club added.
With Gomez out, Trent-Alexander Arnold is almost certain to start at right-back, but with Nathaniel Clyne fit again, Klopp is spoilt for choice in the position.
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However, the Reds are struggling with injuries in midfield as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is out with a long-term knee injury while Emre Can is struggling with a back complaint.
Adam Lallana has recently returned to first-team training, but is reportedly not ready to start a game.
Liverpool have just one Premier League tie left in the season, a home clash with Brighton & Hove Albion on May 13.
After struggling with indifferent form of late, the third-ranked Reds are in danger of missing out on the top-four as the find themselves just one point ahead of Tottenham Hotspur, who have played a game less.
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And fifth-placed Chelsea, who have also played a game less than the Merseyside outfit, are three points behind.
Provided Chelsea win their midweek fixture against Huddersfield at home, it will all go down to the final day of the season.
And of course, the big game of the season is the UEFA Champions League final, which sees the Reds take on mighty Real Madrid in Kiev on May 26.
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