Cody Gakpo missed Liverpool's 2-1 Champions League win at home to Atletico Madrid while Bradley Barcola and Milos Kerkez came off during it
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 9: Bradley Barcola of Liverpool down injured during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC and Atletico de Madrid at Anfield on September 9, 2026 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
Bradley Barcola receives treatment from the Liverpool medical staff during the Champions League win over Atletico Madrid at Anfield (Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
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Andoni Iraola has played down any fears that Bradley Barcola suffered an injury on his full Liverpool debut. The forward was withdrawn in the 60th minute after going down and receiving treatment on the pitch.
Barcola was seen clutching the back of his calf before limping off as Victor Munoz came on in his place.
But Iraola has revealed the 24-year-old who was only making his second appearance since the World Cup, was suffering with cramp and he admitted the Reds are still managing the £123m summer signing from Paris Saint-Germain carefully.
“No, it’s cramp. It’s just cramp, there is no injury,” the Liverpool head coach said. “With Bradley, it's about building his physical condition.
“We don't really know, or we didn't know until now probably, how much he can play, because he hasn't had any minutes in pre-season for PSG.
“He played 30 (minutes) the other day. Today we had some question marks, how many minutes he can give us, and probably now we know.
”And I'm very happy because also he has had two very clear chances against the keeper. He hasn't scored, but I want him there. That is where he has to make the difference - arriving to those spots, those positions.
“And I'm very happy because in, I don't know how many minutes he's played, two times against the keeper is a good sign with Bradley.”
Iraola also confirmed that Milos Kerkez was also only suffering with cramp after coming off late on, but he admitted that Cody Gakpo remains a doubt for Saturday’s home clash with Fulham.
“Milos and Bradley were just cramping. (They) were just tired,” he said. “I think I always want to do the subs because of this. Because you've given everything, you don't have any more, perfect, we do the sub.
“Not because you haven't run and I have to sub you, so I prefer when you put everything you can, and then we sub you because you cannot run anymore.
“I don't know (if Gakpo will be back for Saturday). I hope, I hope, but I don't know. I don't think... he doesn't have like a proper injury in terms of bad, but he finished with niggles in both of the adductors the other day.
“We expected to have him for today, it hasn't been possible. It's not a big thing, but the problem is we play here in two days and a half. So, I think now is a moment of recovery these two days. See how Bradley has finished, how Cody is, if he can give us some minutes.
“If not, Rio (Ngumoha), Victor. I think today everyone has done a big effort. And we need to recover and we need to regroup and think, because in two days and a half we play again here against Fulham.
“It's a very important game again for us, so I hope we can have Cody with us, but I cannot guarantee it.”