SPORT 194: Liverpool clinched first leg with Real

The young defender Joe Gomez lost the chance to compete in both the Champions League final and the 2018 World Cup for ankle surgery.

Gomez was injured in a friendly match between England and Holland in March of 1818. Then, he played two more games for Liverpool against West Brom and Stoke but had to undergo surgery to cure it.

The 20-year-old defender is the latest addition to the Liverpool squad after Oxlade-Chamberlain, Adam Lallana, Emre Can and Joel Matip. It is a pity that the Englishman has made a big leap forward with 31 appearances for Liverpool, including 23 in the Premier League and six in the Champions League.

"I confirm that I will not be able to play for the club and the team for the rest of the season, after the successful ankle surgery," Gomez said. "It is a difficult time but I hope to return to the best stage for the new season. What I can do now is to support Liverpool in the last two games."

Liverpool face two important matches in the rest of the season. First Anfield home game against Brighton to decide the ticket to the top four Premiership, then they will go to Kiev to meet Real to win the European Championship.