Cody Gakpo was a notable absentee as Liverpool trained on the eve of Atletico Madrid’s visit in the Champions League, but Joe Gomez was part of a 20-man outfield group.
The Dutchman has played 251 of a possible 270 minutes so far this season and is Andoni Iraola’s in-form player, despite how close he came to securing a transfer.
He was not part of training at the AXA Training Centre on Tuesday afternoon, however, with Merseyside reporters, including The Times‘ Paul Joyce, describing it as a precaution.
Iraola did not discuss any new fitness issues during his pre-match press conference earlier in the day, and at present it is unknown whether Gakpo will be fit to start at Anfield.
Bradley Barcola is “ready to play more” minutes, in the words of Iraola, and could, therefore, be in line to make his full debut, while Victor Munoz and Rio Ngumoha will also be options.
Gakpo joined Hugo Ekitike, Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni, and Federico Chiesa in missing the session, with the quartet still sidelined with respective fitness and injury issues.
Joe Gomez back in Liverpool training
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)
There was good news with the sighting of Gomez, with the defender having been sidelined since injuring his hamstring during the US pre-season tour at the end of July.
He was then quickly ruled out for the start of the season, but Iraola revealed last week the plan was for the defender to return to training this week.
“He’s had a normal recovery from a muscle injury, more or less we were expecting the time on this,” Iraola told reporters last week.
“I hope we can have him before the break, let’s say.”
With the Champions League allowing for an extended 12-man bench, Gomez could find himself back in a matchday squad for the first time since the last game of 2025/26.
Liverpool squad in training pre-Atletico Madrid
The outfield group in training on Tuesday included:
Defenders: Van Dijk, Jacquet, Araujo, Gomez, Kerkez, Frimpong, Tsimikas, Chambers
Midfielders: Wirtz, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Gravenberch, Nyoni, Endo*, McConnell
Forwards: Isak, Barcola, Munoz, Ngumoha, Koumas
Match Preview Template (2)
Match Preview Template (2)
Football – FA Premier League – Newcastle United FC v Liverpool FC
NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 22, 2026: Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister during the FA Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Liverpool FC at St James' Park. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Football – UEFA Champions League – Liverpool FC v Atlético Madrid – MD-1
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, September 8, 2026: Liverpool's Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister during a press conference at Anfield ahead of the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC and Atlético Madrid. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)