July 30 (Reuters) - Liverpool ⁠defender Joe Gomez is expected ⁠to miss the start of the Premier ‌League campaign after suffering a muscle injury during the club's pre-season win over Sunderland, head coach ​Andoni Iraola said on ⁠Thursday.

Gomez, 29, was forced ⁠off inside the opening 10 minutes of ⁠Liverpool's ‌victory in Nashville last week.

"Joe has a muscle injury. I ⁠think it was quite clear since he ​complained ‌straight away, so it will depend how ⁠he evolves, ​but he will be some weeks off," Iraola told reporters.

"It's not massive, it's ⁠a normal muscle injury, but ​I think it's going to be impossible to have him for the start of ⁠the season because we are not so far away."

Gomez's injury leaves Liverpool facing a defensive setback as they complete their ​preparations for the new ⁠season.

Liverpool, who finished fifth last term, begin ​their Premier League campaign ‌at Newcastle United on ​August 23.

(Reporting by Paras J. Haji in Bengaluru; Editing by Ken Ferris)