Iraola Provides Injury Update on Barcola, Gakpo, and Ekitike Before Fulham Match

Iraola delivers mixed injury news on Barcola, Gakpo and Ekitike ahead of Fulham clash

Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola moved to calm fears over Bradley Barcola but admitted Cody Gakpo remains a major doubt for Saturday’s Premier League meeting with Fulham at Anfield.

The Reds, unbeaten so far this season, host a Fulham side still searching for their first league win in a 3pm kickoff on Merseyside.

Barcola boost after midweek scare

Barcola sparked concern in midweek when he was withdrawn on the hour in Liverpool’s 2-1 comeback victory over Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Champions League, the £123 million summer signing appearing to struggle physically as he left the pitch.

Any anxiety over a serious problem has been eased.

“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,” Iraola said at his pre-match press conference on Friday.

The France international, who has settled quickly into Iraola’s front line, is now expected to be in contention for selection as Liverpool aim to extend their strong start.

Gakpo faces race against time

The outlook is less clear for Gakpo. The Dutch forward missed the Atletico win entirely after suffering an adductor issue against Ipswich Town last week and has yet to fully rejoin the group.

“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.

Gakpo’s possible absence would be a blow. The Netherlands international has opened the campaign in sharp form, with one goal and three assists across Liverpool’s first three league fixtures, giving Iraola both end product and versatility across the front line.

Ekitike still “far” from return

There was also an update on Hugo Ekitike, who ruptured his Achilles in April and has not featured since. Any return remains on the horizon rather than imminent.

“Hugo, it's difficult with these long-term injuries,” Iraola 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 go into the weekend balancing caution with optimism: Barcola ready to push on, Gakpo racing the clock, and Ekitike pencilled in as a potential mid-season reinforcement. For a side chasing momentum on multiple fronts, those timelines could define how far this campaign runs.