The latest Liverpool team news and injury updates as they prepare to face Fulham in the Premier League.
Andoni Iraola’s unbeaten start to his first season as Liverpool manager will be put to the test by Fulham this weekend – but the Reds have several injury concerns ahead of Saturday’s Premier League fixture against the Cottagers.
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Both debutant Bradley Barcola and left-back Miloš Kerkez left the field with apparent knocks during the midweek Champions League win over Atlético Madrid, while Cody Gakpo missed the match entirely. The trio are now among eight first-team players who are either out or doubts for the game at Anfield.
With kick-off fast approaching, we’ve collected all of the latest Liverpool team news and injury updates below, along with our prediction for Iraola’s starting line-up against Fulham.
Will Bradley Barcola play against Fulham?
Liverpool's medical team walk Bradley Barcola from the field an hour into his debutplaceholder image
Liverpool's medical team walk Bradley Barcola from the field an hour into his debut | Getty Images
Barcola’s Liverpool debut came to an abrupt end after just an hour, when the £123m signing limped off against Atlético Madrid – but it appears as though the Frenchman won’t have to wait long to return to the fray.
Iraola told the media after the match that it “was just cramp” that had compelled Barcola to leave the pitch, and that he had suffered “no injury.” The head coach did acknowledge that there was a need to build up Barcola’s fitness after a pre-season which was interrupted by both the World Cup and negotiations over his departure from PSG, but he will be available to start again should he be required.
The same could be true for full-back Kerkez, who also limped off during Wednesday evening’s game and was replaced by Kostas Tsimikas with just a few minutes left on the clock.
Iraola said that Kerkez, too, was suffering with cramp and weariness, suggesting that he will also be available to start against Fulham on Saturday. Despite the scares, Liverpool seem to have emerged from a bruising midweek match unscathed.
Is Cody Gakpo going to be available for Liverpool?
Cody Gakpo provided two assists against Ipswich Town before going down with a thigh injuryplaceholder image
Cody Gakpo provided two assists against Ipswich Town before going down with a thigh injury | Getty Images
There’s more concern over the availability of Dutch winger Gakpo, who sustained an adductor injury against Ipswich Town last weekend and ultimately missed the game against Atlético Madrid as a result.
While Iraola told the press that Gakpo “doesn’t have a proper injury” and described his issue as a “niggle,” the Spaniard admitted that he doesn’t know whether the winger will be available for the game Fulham. He did, however, tell the press that Liverpool had initially expected Gakpo to play in the Champions League, implying that his lay-off will not be a long one – but the 27-year-old does not appear to have returned to training as of Friday morning.
Another injured player who could make their return against Fulham is defender Joe Gomez, who has been out since suffering a pre-season muscular injury in late July. He returned to full training on Wednesday and could make the bench this weekend.
Among the players set to miss out this weekend are Federico Chiesa, who is expected to be sidelined for another month due to a lower back injury, and centre-half Giovanni Leoni, who is expected to return to training during the forthcoming international break as he continues his rehabilitation from a ruptured ACL.
Conor Bradley (knee) and Hugo Ekitiké (calf), meanwhile, are both earmarked to return from lengthy lay-offs in late November, while Ronald Araújo could continue to start at right-back after promising performances in the position over the past week.
Liverpool predicted line-up vs. Fulham (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Kerkez, Van Dijk, Jacquet, Araújo; Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Barcola, Wirtz, Ngumoha; Isak.