Liverpool already has a long injury list to contend with as the start of the new season draws near, with Andoni Iraola short of options in defense after the pre-season tour of the US
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JULY 22: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Jérémy Jacquet of Liverpool during a training session at Endeavor Health Performance Center on July 22, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Nikki Dyer/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Jeremy Jacquet is yet to play for Liverpool this summer(Image: Getty Images)
Liverpool’s injury list is far from ideal with just over two weeks to go until the start of the new season - and it has only grown following the tour of the US.
The Reds are building up to kick-off in the 2026/27 campaign, with just three more pre-season games to go against Monaco and Como before the real deal begins against Newcastle on Aug. 23.
Andoni Iraola is hardly flush with options in defense at the moment though, even with Virgil van Dijk being added back to the ranks as the squad returns to Merseyside. Wataru Endo and Stefan Bajcetic’s returns to training were boosts in the US, but overall, the injury situation is a major concern right now.
Here is the latest on the injury front for Liverpool, including updates from Iraola and possible return dates…
Jeremie Frimpong
Jeremie Frimpong gave Liverpool a scare in its final outing of the US tour after limping off during the second half of the defeat to Leeds. With options already worryingly low in defense, the last thing the Reds need is to be without any first-team right-backs.
Thankfully, Iraola played down the severity of Frimpong's problem, and suggested that it should keep him out of the remainder of the pre-season programme.
"Jeremie asked for the sub; I don't think it is an injury," Iraola told LFCTV. "I think it was just an overload and I think he is not injured. In that way, I don't think we have lost anyone."
Possible return date: August 9 vs Monaco
Liverpool defender Jeremie Frimpong in pre-season action against Leeds.
Liverpool defender Jeremie Frimpong in pre-season action against Leeds.(Image: KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI / AFP via Getty Images)
Joe Gomez
Joe Gomez has aleady been ruled out of the opening game of the new season, having lasted less than 10 minutes of Liverpool's opening pre-season game against Sunderland.
The defender suffered a muscle problem which saw him forced off in Nashville, and he hasn't been seen in training or either of the subsequent games against Wrexham or Leeds.
Iraola suggested Gomez will need about a month to recover from the injury, meaning he may just about be able to return before the end of August.
Possible return date: August 29 vs Nottingham Forest
Jeremy Jacquet
Jeremy Jacquet's continued absence from the pre-season games is becoming an increasing worry for Liverpool fans. As things stand, he is the frontrunner to start alongside Van Dijk against Newcastle.
Having been expected to play some part against Leeds though, he was left out of the squad completely after also missing training a couple of days earlier. Liverpool has been cautious with the 21-year-old so far, but Iraola's update at the weekend did raise concerns.
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"He did the first part of the pre-season, let’s say, very well. Now he’s feeling some discomfort, so we don’t want to rush him," Iraola said.
“He comes from a lot of months without playing. And obviously I would like to try with him with Virgil when he recovers, because with the injury of Joe [Gomez] we’ve been without senior center-backs. But we have to be careful with Jeremy, yes.”
Possible return date: August 9 vs Monaco
Giovanni Leoni
Giovanni Leoni is getting closer to a return, but remains unavailable as he continues his recovery following the ACL injury he sustained on his debut against Southampton last September.
Iraola previously indicated that the young defender is the closest of the three long-term injuries in the squad to a return, and he is expected to play some part during pre-season. The Monaco game may come a little too early, but one of the fixtures against Como may be a good opportunity for him to get some minutes.
Possible return date: August 16 vs Como
KIRKBY, ENGLAND - JULY 14: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Giovanni Leoni of Liverpool during a training session at AXA Training Centre on July 14, 2026 in Kirkby, England. (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Giovanni Leoni of Liverpool during a training session at AXA Training Centre on July 14, 2026 in Kirkby(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Conor Bradley
Conor Bradley had been hoped to be able to make a return shortly after the start of the new season, although Iraola has now admitted that won't be the case.
The right-back sustained a serious knee injury against Arsenal back in January, and although he joined Liverpool in the US, Iraola has indicated he still has "months" to go in his recovery.
Possible return date: November/December
Hugo Ekitike
Like Bradley, Hugo Ekitike traveled to the US, although there is definitely no chance of a surprise early return for the striker. Having ruptured his Achilles against Paris Saint-Germain in April, he was until recently using a cane to help him walk, which gives a good indication of how far off a return he is.
Reports have suggested that Ekitike is targeting a comeback during the festive period, potentially for Liverpool's Boxing Day fixture against Hull City. That will of course be entirely dependent on how well his recovery goes, and given his injury, a return before then looks to be out of the question.
Possible return date: December