Andoni Iraola is waiting for an update on the fitness of his Liverpool players ahead of the Premier League clash against Newcastle United
Ryan Gravenberch and Curtis Jones of Liverpool during a training session at AXA Training Centre
Ryan Gravenberch and Curtis Jones of Liverpool during a training session at AXA Training Centre(Image: Nikki Dyer/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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Liverpool are back in action for the start of the Premier League season on Sunday afternoon when they visit Newcastle United.
And the Reds are still waiting to discover exactly who they can call upon for the first competitive game under new head coach Andoni Iraola.
Four senior Liverpool players will definitely miss the game as they continue to recover from injury, with three being long-term absentees.
Forward Hugo Ekitike faces a battle to feature again this calendar year having suffered a serious Achilles injury in early April, while right-back Conor Bradley continues to recover from the major knee damage he sustained at Arsenal in early January.
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Centre-back Giovanni Leoni is edging nearer a return to first-team training having been missing since last September with an ACL injury, while defender Joe Gomez picked up a muscle complaint in the opening pre-season friendly against Sunderland that continues to keep him on the sidelines.
There are doubts over a number of other Liverpool players. Curtis Jones, the midfielder subject of transfer interest from Inter, has missed the last two weekends with a hip problem, while goalkeeper Freddie Woodman was absent for both friendlies against Como on Sunday having nursed an injury throughout pre-season.
Young striker Jayden Danns and midfielder Stefan Bajcetic are both unavailable as they recover from muscle problems.
As well as seeing a host of senior players leave the club this summer, Newcastle also have injury concerns over a number of players.
Midfielder Joelinton is out for several weeks with an undisclosed issue, while defenders Valentino Livramento and Fabian Schar are both rated doubtful for the visit of Liverpool.