Joe Gomez is nearing a return from the muscle injury picked up in pre-season, with Andoni Iraola providing return dates for three of his Liverpool absentees.
Gomez, who suffered an injury minutes into the first friendly of pre-season, should be ready to rejoin the Liverpool squad ahead of next week’s clash with Fulham.
The defender is still likely to miss the Champions League opener against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday but, as he nears a return to training, he will be available imminently.
In his pre-Ipswich press conference, Iraola also revealed the plan for Giovanni Leoni and Federico Chiesa to resume full training during the upcoming international break.
NASHVILLE, USA - Saturday, July 25, 2026: Liverpool's Joe Gomez (L) Is greeted by head coach Andoni Iraola as he is substituted off during a friendly match between Liverpool FC and AFC Sunderland at the Nashville SC Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
NASHVILLE, USA - Saturday, July 25, 2026: Liverpool's Joe Gomez (L) Is greeted by head coach Andoni Iraola as he is substituted off during a friendly match between Liverpool FC and AFC Sunderland at the Nashville SC Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“The closest one is Joe,” the head coach said.
“Joe will probably start training with us next week. He’s had a normal recovery from a muscle injury, more or less we were expecting the time on this.
“I hope we can have him before the break, let’s say.
“The next one probably should be Giovanni Leoni. I think the plan is also to start training during the break, with the group, I think even Fede should be around those dates.”
Iraola remains reluctant to place any timeframe on the recoveries of Conor Bradley and Hugo Ekitike, though the right-back’s return is set to come sooner.
Liverpool have an otherwise strong squad, with Jeremy Jacquet avoiding any further issues after his setback in pre-season and another of the long-term absentees, Stefan Bajcetic, now having left the club.
Jayden Danns fit and available for first team
KIRKBY, ENGLAND - Sunday, August 30, 2026: Liverpool's Jayden Danns during the Premier League 2 match between Liverpool FC Under-21's and Leeds United FC Under-21's at the Liverpool Academy. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
KIRKBY, ENGLAND - Sunday, August 30, 2026: Liverpool's Jayden Danns during the Premier League 2 match between Liverpool FC Under-21's and Leeds United FC Under-21's at the Liverpool Academy. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Jayden Danns could find himself in first-team contention after the decision was made not to loan the striker out on deadline day.
This Is Anfield understands Danns had attracted interest from a number of clubs including Schalke, but will instead look to force his way into Iraola’s plans.
The 20-year-old has featured in both of the U21s’ games so far this season and looked particularly sharp in the 2-1 win over Leeds last time out.
With Ekitike still absent and Chiesa also rehabbing a back injury, there could be an opportunity for Danns in the busy fortnight to come.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 29, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola applauds the supporters after the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Nottingham Forest FC at Anfield. The game ended 2-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 29, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola applauds the supporters after the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Nottingham Forest FC at Anfield. The game ended 2-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“We’re going to go into a period in the next two weeks where we are going to play a lot of games,” Iraola told reporters on Thursday.
“We will have the chance also to see all the options we have, the combinations, who plays well with the other.”
Though Iraola was speaking in reference to Liverpool’s midfield, the same certainly applies to all areas of the pitch – bar perhaps his centre-back pairing of Jacquet and Virgil van Dijk.
Football – Pre-Season Friendly – Liverpool FC v AS Monaco
Football – Pre-Season Friendly – Liverpool FC v AS Monaco
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