Liverpool
Liverpool have shared fresh injury news ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash with Fulham at Anfield. Cody Gakpo remains a doubt after missing the midweek win over Atletico Madrid with an adductor injury, while Bradley Barcola looks set to be involved following a bright cameo off the bench in that same game.
Cody Gakpo injury scare and Iraola’s honest verdict
As reported by The Independent, Gakpo missed the win over Atletico Madrid due to pain on both sides of his groin, which Liverpool described as “adductor issues.” The problem first showed up after last week’s win at Ipswich. The club has stayed cautious with his recovery since then, not wanting to risk a longer layoff. The Dutch forward has been in fine form this season, setting up all three of Alexander Isak’s goals so far. His passing has become a key part of how Liverpool move the ball forward, and losing him for even one game would be felt badly in attack.
Manager Andoni Iraola gave a clear update when he spoke to reporters earlier this week. He said Barcola only felt cramp and does not have a real injury. The winger was pulled off late against Atletico purely as a safety step, with training on Friday helping the club decide if he starts against Fulham. For Cody Gakpo, though, Iraola struck a more cautious tone. The team would try to have him ready, but a short delay is still possible, with the coaching staff planning to check on him again closer to matchday.
Cody Gakpo’s Season 2025/26 stats at Liverpool, as per FotMob:
Competition Appearances Goals Assists Chances created
Premier League 36 7 5 54
UCL 11 2 1 6
FA Cup 4 0 0 17
Barcola set for full Premier League debut
Barcola’s rise has been one of the more encouraging stories of the early season at Anfield. He joined from Paris Saint-Germain this summer carrying a big price tag and plenty of hype. His first real chance to shine came in the Champions League against Atletico in midweek, having made a substitute cameo in the league at Ipswich the previous week.
He grabbed that chance with a lively display that caught the eye of fans. A start against Fulham would mark his first Premier League appearance from the beginning, a moment many supporters have waited for since his arrival.
Iraola’s message: Fast starts, fewer late slips
Liverpool have scored two goals in each of their four games so far this season, a solid return. But they’ve twice needed a stoppage-time or late goal of their own just to avoid defeat, against Newcastle and Nottingham Forest. Turning those late rescues into results earned earlier in the game is the next challenge for Iraola’s side.
Iraola remains unbeaten since taking charge, with back-to-back wins over Ipswich and Atletico lifting the mood around the squad. Even so, he wants more from his side, starting matches with greater energy from kickoff, rather than settling into games slowly. He pointed to the fast start against Ipswich as the model he wants repeated.
As reported by Liverpool’s official website, Iraola said: “I would like to score the first goal to make things easier, but we have to have the right mentality.We didn’t start badly against Atletico, but I think the start of games is one of the parts where we can be a bit better,” he added. “I want us to impose ourselves from the beginning.”
Fulham will be the next test of whether that message has landed on the football pitch.
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