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<\/p>\nJoe Gomez has reacted to Wataru Endo injury latest ahead of Liverpool’s FA Cup fourth round clash against Brighton on Saturday<\/p>\n
Joe Gomez of Liverpool(Image: Liverpool FC\/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Joe Gomez has declared himself ready to step back into the Liverpool starting line-up – but admits he is “gutted” Wataru Endo is now facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines. Gomez made his return after three games out with a hip problem when replacing the injured Endo at right-back midway through the second half of the 1-0 Premier League<\/a> win at Sunderland on Wednesday.<\/p>\n The 28-year-old is now in contention for only his third start in two months for the FA Cup<\/a> fourth-round clash at home to Brighton on Saturday evening.<\/p>\n Gomez<\/a> also had several weeks on the sidelines after picking up a hamstring injury during the first half of Liverpool’s<\/a> 2-0 home Premier League win over the Seagulls in mid-December.<\/p>\n READ MORE: Transfers, Cody Gakpo, Curtis Jones – Liverpool questions answered by Ian Doyle and Paul Gorst<\/a>READ MORE: Arne Slot having trouble sleeping as Liverpool brace themselves for injury hammer blow<\/a><\/p>\n And he said: “Always you try to prepare the best as possible and just make sure you’re available for whatever the gaffer decides.<\/p>\n “An 8pm (kick-off), it replicates Champions League<\/a> nights in many ways and we know what they’re like. Hopefully we can use the atmosphere to give us the energy to get to the next round.<\/p>\n “Domestically, we’ve not had the easiest of seasons and I think this is a good chance for us to try to have a successful campaign. The FA Cup is such a historic trophy and I think trying to go as far as we can is obviously going to be the aim.”<\/p>\n Of the win at Sunderland, Gomez added: “I think it shows resilience, grit and concentration from the boys to keep a clean sheet.<\/p>\n “Those ones are sometimes sweeter when you come away and know that you’ve earned it for every minute of the game.”<\/p>\n Liverpool are still waiting to discover the extent of Endo’s injury with the Japan international having fallen awkwardly on his ankle when making a clearance at the Stadium of Light, although Reds boss Arne Slot is braced for the 33-year-old being sidelined for an extended period.<\/a><\/p>\n