Hugo Ekitike before a Liverpool game
Hugo Ekitike remains out through injury(Image: Michael Regan/Getty Images)
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Liverpool are back in Premier League action this weekend as they travel to face Bournemouth on Sunday afternoon. The Reds will go to the Vitality Stadium in search of a valuable three points in their final match before the extended international break gets underway.
Andoni Iraola will take charge of Liverpool in what will be his first match against his former club, who he left in the summer before taking the job at Anfield.
The Reds go into the game on the back of a 3-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao Cup in midweek, but were forced to settle for a point in a goalless draw with Fulham last weekend in the Premier League.
However, Iraola will be forced to deal with several injury concerns when Liverpool take on Bournemouth this weekend, as has been the case for every match so far this season.
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Here, the ECHO takes a look at the latest Liverpool injury news and potential return dates…
Hugo Ekitike
Hugo Ekitike is continuing his recovery from an Achilles injury, which he suffered back in April, and is still several months away from a return.
Iraola confirmed the reason Liverpool included the striker in their Champions League squad was with the hope of him being available in January.
"It is difficult with long-term injuries. He [Ekitike] is still far [away from returning]," Iraola said earlier this month.
"We had a meeting with the medical department, and there is a reasonable chance that he could help us in the last two games of the group stages, but it is still very early.
Iraola added: "There is still a big part of a rehab to go. but we put him in the squad because there is a hope and realistic chance that he could help us in January."
Potential return date: January 2027.
Giovanni Leoni
Giovanni Leoni is in the final stages of his recovery from an ACL injury, which he suffered in the Carabao Cup back in September last year on debut.
Iraola has previously stated that he hopes to have Leoni back in training after the international break, which will see Liverpool not in action for three weeks.
“I think the next one probably should be Giovanni,” Iraola said earlier this month. “I think the plan is also to start training during the break, with the group.”
Potential return date: October 11 - Manchester City (H) - Premier League.
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Conor Bradley
Conor Bradley suffered an ACL injury back in January in a goalless draw with Arsenal and is still continuing his recovery process.
No timeframe has been given for when Liverpool hope to have the Northern Ireland international back in training.
Potential return date: Unknown.
Federico Chiesa
Federico Chiesa is yet to feature for Liverpool after picking up an injury in the latter stages of pre-season.
Iraola confirmed in his press conference that the Italy international will still not be available to face Bournemouth, with an exact return date still unclear.