IPSWICH, ENGLAND - Friday, September 4, 2026: Liverpool's Cody Gakpo lies injured during the FA Premier League match between Ipswich Town FC and Liverpool FC at Portman Road. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
IPSWICH, ENGLAND - Friday, September 4, 2026: Liverpool's Cody Gakpo lies injured during the FA Premier League match between Ipswich Town FC and Liverpool FC at Portman Road. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Andoni Iraola admits he is unsure if Cody Gakpo will be fit for Liverpool’s clash with Fulham, with the initial hope being that he could face Atletico Madrid.
Gakpo missed Liverpool’s open session at the AXA Training Centre on Tuesday and was subsequently left out of Iraola’s squad for the 2-1 win over Atletico.
The head coach revealed before the game that his No. 18 was suffering with tightness in his adductor muscles, but suggested he should be available for Saturday against Fulham.
But when asked post-match whether he expected Gakpo to be involved in that game, Iraola was more cautious.
“I don’t know. I hope so, but I don’t know,” he replied.
“He doesn’t have a proper injury. We expected to have him for today, but it hasn’t been possible.
“It’s not a big thing, but the problem is we play here in two-and-a-half days. So I think now it’s a moment to recover these two days.
“Let’s see how Bradley has finished, how Cody is, if he can give us some minutes. If not, Rio, Victor.
“Today everyone had a big effort and we need to recover and we need to regroup and think.
“In two-and-a-half days we play again here, Fulham, it’s a very important game again for us. So I hope we can have Cody with us, but I cannot guarantee it.”
Ngumoha and Munoz on standby for starts vs. Fulham
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 29, 2026: Liverpool's Víctor Muñoz in the line-up before the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Nottingham Forest FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 29, 2026: Liverpool's Víctor Muñoz in the line-up before the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Nottingham Forest FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
As Iraola referenced, Bradley Barcola also left the field with cramp in Wednesday’s victory at Anfield, with there now question marks over his involvement at the weekend.
Rio Ngumoha and Victor Munoz are still available and would be the likely starters if neither Gakpo or Barcola are able to.
With Federico Chiesa out with a back issue, it then leaves Lewis Koumas and Jeremie Frimpong as the backup options in attack – the former made his European debut on Wednesday as they both came off the bench.
IPSWICH, ENGLAND - Friday, September 4, 2026: Liverpool's Alexander Isak celebrates with team-mates captain Virgil van Dijk (L) and Cody Gakpo (R) after scoring the second goal during the FA Premier League match between Ipswich Town FC and Liverpool FC at Portman Road. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
IPSWICH, ENGLAND - Friday, September 4, 2026: Liverpool's Alexander Isak celebrates with team-mates captain Virgil van Dijk (L) and Cody Gakpo (R) after scoring the second goal during the FA Premier League match between Ipswich Town FC and Liverpool FC at Portman Road. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Gakpo has begun the season in outstanding form despite coming close to an £80 million move to Man City at the end of the summer transfer window.
In three games so far he has scored one and assisted three, setting up both goals in the 2-0 victory over Ipswich last time out in the league, in what was his first appearance since being denied a transfer.
Fulham will head to Anfield having lost all three of their games so far in the Premier League, with their only win coming against League One side AFC Wimbledon in the Carabao Cup.
Atletico talking points FI
Atletico talking points FI
Football – UEFA Champions League – Liverpool FC v Atlético Madrid
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, September 9, 2026: Liverpool's Bradley Barcola (L) is greeted by his head coach Andoni Iraola as he is substituted off during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC and Atlético Madrid at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
P2026-09-09-Liverpool_Atletico-118
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, September 9, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola after the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC and Atlético Madrid at Anfield. Liverpool won 2-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)