Liverpool's Injury Update: Barcola and Gakpo Ahead of Fulham Clash
Andoni Iraola moved to steady Liverpool nerves on Friday, delivering a mixed fitness bulletin on Bradley Barcola and Cody Gakpo ahead of Fulham’s visit to Anfield.
The Premier League leaders host the still-winless Cottagers on Saturday afternoon, determined to extend their unbeaten start to the campaign. The build‑up, though, had been clouded by concern over Barcola after the £123 million signing was forced off in midweek.
Barcola scare eased
Barcola lasted just over an hour of Wednesday’s 2-1 comeback win over Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Champions League before signalling to come off, sparking fears of a costly early-season injury to one of Liverpool’s marquee summer arrivals.
Those fears eased quickly once Iraola took his seat in front of the cameras.
“We still need to train this afternoon, but Barcola was just cramps, he finished the game tired so we have to evaluate but there's no injury. He should be available if everything goes normal,” the Liverpool manager said.
No tear. No strain. Just cramp after a high-intensity European night. Liverpool expect him to be in contention to start against Fulham, pending one final check in training.
Given the Frenchman’s explosive start and price tag, that news alone will feel like a small victory at Anfield.
Gakpo remains a doubt
The picture is less clear with Gakpo.
The Netherlands international missed the Atletico clash entirely after suffering an adductor problem against Ipswich Town last week. His form had been one of the early stories of Liverpool’s season: one goal and three assists in the opening three league games, a forward playing with sharpness and conviction.
Now he is racing the clock.
“Cody we will see. He did not train yesterday, so today we will try with him and let's see if he's ready for tomorrow or we need to wait until the next one,” Iraola explained.
Liverpool will give him every chance, but the tone was cautious. Lose Gakpo and Iraola is without one of his most productive attackers just as the fixtures begin to stack up.
Ekitike’s long road back
Beyond the short-term juggling, Iraola also addressed the longer view and the fate of Hugo Ekitike, who ruptured his Achilles in April.
“Hugo, it's difficult with these long-term injuries,” he said. “He's still far. But we had a meeting with all the department to analyse and complete the list of European games and there's a small chance he could play in the last two games of the group stages, but it's too early to say. It's a big injury.
“But if we decided to put him there, it is because there's a hope and a realistic chance he could help us in January.”
Liverpool have pencilled in January as the realistic target for a full return, with only a slim possibility of a cameo late in the Champions League group phase. It is a reminder of how carefully Iraola and his staff are managing minutes and bodies across all competitions.
For now, the focus is simple: keep the unbeaten run alive, lean on Barcola’s availability, and hope Gakpo wins his race against time before the Anfield lights come up on Saturday.
