体坛英语新闻：Liverpool defender Gomez out for 6 weeks with broken leg

LONDON, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- Liverpool's England international defender Joe Gomez will be out of action for around 6 weeks after breaking his leg in his side's 3-1 win away to Burnley on Wednesday night.

Gomez was carried off on a stretcher after just 23 minutes and on Thursday Liverpool confirmed on their official website that Gomez "sustained a fracture to the lower left leg."

"The defender needed to be substituted after 23 minutes at Turf Moor following a challenge from which he was unable to continue."

"Gomez's injury was further assessed by the Reds' medical team at Melwood (Liverpool's training ground) on Thursday. Initial indications suggest the 21-year-old is facing a spell of up to six weeks out of action, though this is dependent on how his treatment and rehabilitation programs progress," said the statement.

If Gomez is out for 6 weeks, he will miss 9 games, including the busy Premier League Christmas fixtures, the third round of the FA Cup and Liverpool's vital Champions League tie at home to Napoli, which they need to win by two goals for the knockout stage of the tournament.

This season has seen Gomez in excellent form for Liverpool and England and his ability to play either in central defense or at right back has made him vital in the plans of Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp and England boss Gareth Southgate.