Iraola confirms Gomez's half-time exit was planned as Liverpool beat Tottenham 3-1 in Carabao Cup

Joe Gomez’s half-time withdrawal during Liverpool’s 3-1 Carabao Cup victory over Tottenham on Tuesday was pre-planned, manager Andoni Iraola has confirmed, easing fears that the vice-captain had suffered a fresh setback after two months on the sidelines.

Goals from Alexis Mac Allister, Cody Gakpo and Dominik Szoboszlai sealed Liverpool’s place in the fourth round, with Gomez starting alongside Ronald Araujo at the back before being withdrawn at the interval as part of a carefully managed return to action.

“Yes, it was planned,” Iraola said. “I think Joe has been doing the recovery very well. With him it makes sense. It wasn’t set but the plan was not a lot more than 45, yes.”

Gomez’s return is a significant boost for Iraola, who began the season short of senior central defensive options. Araujo arrived on a season-long loan from Barcelona to add depth, while Jeremy Jacquet stepped straight into the squad following Ibrahima Konate’s summer departure.

Iraola was full of praise for both Araujo and Gakpo after the final whistle. Gakpo has been in impressive form in the early weeks of the season, having remained at the club after talks over a proposed move to Manchester City broke down.

“Cody gives us not just the goals and the assists,” Iraola said. “He gives us also physicality, he is calm on the ball and also players like him, Ronald and Alexis, in a team that is quite young, I think his experience has helped us a lot.”

Iraola reserved particular admiration for Szoboszlai’s long-range third goal, describing it as a standout moment. “The third goal is a worldie, it is outstanding. The thing with Dom is that before shooting, you are trusting he might score. With another player you are thinking it’s maybe too far, but with Dom everyone is thinking he might score.”