Andoni Iraola said Joe Gomez’s injury in Liverpool’s friendly win against Sunderland was the “worst news” at the start of his reign.
Iraola was taking charge of his first match since arriving from Bournemouth in the close season to replace the sacked Arne Slot.
The Spaniard watched as goals from Kieran Morrison, Dominik Szoboszlai, Federico Chiesa and Lewis Koumas gave Liverpool a 4-2 victory on Saturday in the opener of their United States tour in Nashville.
But Gomez, who started the game as centre-back and captained Liverpool, was forced off in the eighth minute.
Gomez’s premature exit added to Iraola’s defensive issues, with new signing Jeremy Jacquet still being eased back after his own fitness problems and Giovanni Leoni recovering following a long-term absence.
