Liverpool has been struggling with injury issues throughout the season so far, with Andoni Iraola giving a positive update on the situation ahead of the international break
Andoni Iraola has discussed Liverpool's injury situation
Andoni Iraola has discussed Liverpool's injury situation(Image: (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP via Getty Images))
Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola has given a positive update on the club's injury situation, following a difficult opening month of the campaign.
The Reds have been on the back foot with injuries since last season, as long-term problems for Hugo Ekitike, Giovanni Leoni, and Conor Bradley carried over into this campaign. Preseason then caused problems, with injuries for Joe Gomez and Federico Chiesa further impacting Iraola's options, reducing an already thin squad into an even thinner one.
There have been minor doubts along the way, including an issue for Cody Gakpo, but for the first time in a while, it seems as though there is some positive injury news.
Speaking ahead of his side's clash with Bournemouth this weekend, the manager confirmed that almost everyone is fit and available, with only four absentees to mention, and no new concerns that have carried over through the week.
He told the press: "Everyone is OK, same place we were. Three long-term injuries and Chiesa. We still need to train tomorrow, but everyone is fine."
Those three long-term injuries are for Ekitike, Bradley, and Leoni, but there is set to be some positive progression surrounding those absentees.
Iraola recently admitted that Leoni and Chiesa could be back in training over the international break, with a three-week gap between fixtures giving the Reds plenty of opportunity to get the stars up to fitness once again.
Federico Chiesa has been out of action for Liverpool with an injury
Federico Chiesa has been out of action for Liverpool with an injury(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
While that could see Chiesa thrown into action again straight away after the international break, there may be a slower process surrounding the way Leoni returns, considering the fact that he has been out of action for a year with the knee issue he picked up on his debut.
However, barring any further injury scares, that should mean that all but two players in the squad will be available to Iraola once his side is back in domestic action.
That comes as quite a boost, considering the run of fixtures coming up for the Reds.
After the international break, there is a huge clash against Manchester City, before the Premier League, Champions League, and EFL Cup games alternate in a schedule that could see the team play around every three days.
Considering the intensity of the manager's playing principles, it's clear that a deep squad is needed to keep the energy levels high and the chances of injuries low.
With a mixed start so far, there will be some hope that a clean bill of health can give Liverpool the good fortune it needs to kick on and progress.