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Jurgen Klopp fears that Joe Gomez could need surgery as the Liverpool defender's hopes of a comeback this month have been dashed.

And in a further blow to the title-chasing Reds, fellow centre-back Dejan Lovren is set to miss Monday's trip to West Ham following a recurrence of a hamstring problem.

Gomez was initially expected to be sidelined for six weeks when he suffered a fracture to his lower leg against Burnley on December 5.

However, two months on, the England international has yet to return to the training field amid concerns over how the bone has healed.

Asked if Gomez would need a procedure, Klopp said: “I don’t know. We will see. It is possible, probably.

“It is not exactly going how we want, that’s how it is. He needs more time. We will see exactly how we do it.

“There were different moments when we thought we could do this or that. It will take time. We can not say more.”

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Lovren, who was on bench duty against Leicester in midweek, is once again hampered by discomfort in his hamstring. The Croatian hasn't featured since limping off in the FA Cup tie at Wolves on January 7.

Liverpool are confident it's not serious but he's unlikely to be involved at the London Stadium. As a result Joel Matip is set to continue alongside Virgil van Dijk at the back.

(Image: Martin Rickett/PA Wire)

Gomez's extended absence also leaves Klopp short of options at right-back. Vice-captain James Milner is expected to play there against the Hammers after serving his suspension.

The good news is that Trent Alexander-Arnold stepped up his rehabilitation following a knee injury with a ball-work session at Melwood on Friday.

The Academy graduate will be back in full training next week and should be available for the home clash with Bournemouth on February 9.

Captain Jordan Henderson had to deputise as a makeshift right-back in the 1-1 draw with Leicester.

However, Klopp insists he has no regrets over his decision to sanction Nathaniel Clyne's loan move to Bournemouth at the start of the January window.

(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

“I can imagine people think that but I don’t think about it,” Klopp said.

“In the moment we did it there were different reasons. Then an hour later people could say ‘why did you do that?’

“Milly got suspended and Trent injured or the other way around. Is that perfect? I don’t think so.

“You make the decision in the moment you have to and then people judge it later.

“Hendo did well there. We all know how good Clyney is, but would he have had more offensive influence in the game? I don’t know. Defensively, I did not see a mistake from Hendo.”