The latest Liverpool injury news following the 2-1 Champions League win over Atletico Madrid at Anfield on Wednesday night
Liverpool came from behind to beat Atletico Madrid 2-1 in the Champions League at Anfield on Wednesday night.
Marcos Llorente initially gave Atletico the lead before Dominik Szoboszlai levelled for the home side heading into the break.
Alexis Mac Allister then completed the comeback five minutes into the second half, firing a left-footed effort from 20 yards into the net to secure all three points for Liverpool.
However, the victory was not without concern, with Bradley Barcola and Milos Kerkez both forced off during the game.
Here is the latest Liverpool injury news ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash with Fulham.
Bradley Barcola
Injury: Cramp
Barcola was forced off just before the hour mark during his first appearance for Liverpool at Anfield.
However, there is no indication that the Frenchman has suffered a serious injury, with Andoni Iraola confirming that he was substituted because of cramp.
What Iraola said: “No, it is cramp. It is just cramp, there is no injury. With Bradley, it’s about building his physical condition.
“We don’t really know – or we didn’t know until now, probably – how much he can play because he hasn’t had any minutes in pre-season for PSG.
“He played 30 the other day [and] today we had some question marks, how many minutes he can give us and probably now we know.”
Expected return date: vs Fulham (H), Saturday, September 12
Milos Kerkez
Injury: Cramp
Kerkez was another player forced off in the win over Atletico, with Kostas Tsimikas replacing him in the closing stages.
Iraola confirmed that the defender was suffering from cramp and fatigue rather than a significant injury.
What Iraola said: “Milos and Bradley were just cramping [and] were just tired. I think I always want to do subs because of this, because you’ve given everything, you don’t have any more, perfect.
“We do the subs, not because you haven’t run and I have to sub you. So, I prefer when you’ve done everything you can and then we sub you because you cannot run anymore.”
Expected return date: vs Fulham (H), Saturday, September 12
Cody Gakpo
Injury: Adductor
Gakpo was absent for the Champions League clash after missing Tuesday’s training session following a knock picked up against Ipswich Town.
Iraola said the Netherlands international had experienced niggles in both adductors but stressed that it was not considered a serious injury.
What Iraola said: “I don’t know [if he will be back for Fulham]. I hope so, but I don’t know. He doesn’t have a proper injury, but he finished with niggles in both of the adductors the other day.
“We expected to have him for today, [but] it hasn’t been possible. It’s not a big thing, but the problem is we play here [again] in two days and a half.
“I think now is a moment of recovery in these two days. Let’s see how Bradley has finished, how Cody is [and] if he can give us some minutes. If not, Rio, Victor, I think today everyone has done a big effort.
“We need to recover, we need to regroup and think because in two days and a half we play again here [against] Fulham, it’s a very important game again for us. So, I hope we can have Cody with us, but I cannot guarantee it.”
Possible return date: vs Fulham (H), Saturday, September 12
Joe Gomez
Injury: Muscle
Gomez is yet to play this season after suffering a muscle injury but is closing in on a return to training.
Iraola said the defender is expected to start training with the squad next week, with the hope that he can return before the international break.
What Iraola said: “Joe will probably start training with us next week and it has gone normally, the recovery, from a muscle injury, more or less we were expecting the time on this. I hope we can have him before the [international] break, let’s say.”
Potential return date: Before the international break
Federico Chiesa
Injury: Back
Chiesa has missed every game so far this season due to a lower-back injury.
Iraola previously indicated that the forward should be back in training around the time of the international break.
What Iraola said: “I think even Fede should be [back in training] around those dates [of the international break].”
Potential return date: Around the international break
Giovanni Leoni
Injury: Knee
Leoni is closing in on a return after missing more than a year with a knee injury suffered during a League Cup victory over Southampton at the start of last season.
The defender is expected to begin training with the first-team group during the international break.
What Iraola said: “I think the next one probably should be Giovanni Leoni. I think the plan is also to start training during the break, with the group.”
Potential return date: Late October
Hugo Ekitike
Injury: Achilles
Ekitike has faced a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering an Achilles injury against PSG towards the end of last season.
The forward is expected to return later than the international break, although there is currently no confirmed date for his comeback.
What Iraola said: “Probably Conor [Bradley], and especially Hugo [Ekitike], will go later [than the international break], yes.”
Potential return date: Unknown
Conor Bradley
Injury: Knee
Bradley has been out since January after suffering a serious knee injury in a clash with Arsenal, which subsequently required surgery.
The defender remains on the sidelines and, like Ekitike, is expected to return later than the international break.
What Iraola said: “Probably Conor [Bradley], and especially Hugo [Ekitike], will go later [than the international break], yes.”
Potential return date: Unknown
