Liverpool are continuing to monitor the fitness of several key players as head coach Andoni Iraola prepares his squad for a demanding run of fixtures. While some injured stars are making progress in their rehabilitation, others still face a lengthy wait before returning to competitive action.

Hugo Ekitike, Conor Bradley, Federico Chiesa and Giovanni Leoni remain among the players Liverpool fans are eager to see back in action. Their potential returns could provide a significant boost to a squad that has faced several injury setbacks this season.

There has been some positive news, too, with Joe Gomez returning after recovering from a muscle problem and providing Iraola with another defensive option.

However, Liverpool must remain patient with their injured players, particularly those recovering from serious knee and Achilles injuries.

Here is the latest on Liverpool’s injury situation, including the reported return timelines for four key players.

Hugo Ekitike: January 2027 Return Remains a Possibility

Hugo Ekitike faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering a ruptured Achilles tendon against Paris Saint-Germain in April.

The French forward has missed the end of last season and the opening months of the current campaign, dealing a significant blow to Liverpool’s attacking options. His initial recovery estimate was between nine and 12 months, meaning his return will depend heavily on how well his rehabilitation progresses.

There have been encouraging signs, however. Ekitike has shared footage of himself working with the ball indoors, offering Liverpool supporters a glimpse of his recovery.

Liverpool’s decision to include him in their Champions League squad has also generated optimism about the possibility of seeing him feature later in the campaign. However, squad registration alone does not mean he is close to returning to action.

A January 2027 comeback has been suggested as a potential target, although Liverpool will be keen to avoid putting unnecessary pressure on his recovery.

Expected return: January 2027, subject to medical progress.

Conor Bradley: November or December Return on the Cards

Conor Bradley continues to work towards a return after suffering a serious knee injury against Arsenal in January.

The Northern Ireland international required surgery following damage involving the bone and ligaments in his left knee, keeping him out of action for an extended period.

Bradley has reportedly made progress in his individual rehabilitation and has begun working with the ball. Nevertheless, returning to full team training remains an important step before he can be considered for competitive football.

Iraola will be particularly cautious with the young defender, given the severity of the injury and the importance of ensuring he regains his strength and match fitness.

A comeback in November or December 2026 has been suggested, but Liverpool have yet to establish a confirmed return date.

Bradley’s availability would be a welcome boost for the Reds, offering greater depth at right-back and additional flexibility during a busy period of the season.

Expected return: November or December 2026, although the timeline remains unconfirmed.

Federico Chiesa: Liverpool Await Fresh Fitness Update

Federico Chiesa has endured a frustrating start to the campaign after reportedly suffering a back muscle problem during pre-season.

The Italian forward has missed Liverpool’s opening fixtures and has been working towards regaining the fitness needed to return to first-team action.

The international break offered an opportunity for further rehabilitation, raising hopes that Chiesa could move closer to a comeback.

His return would be particularly valuable given Liverpool’s attacking injury concerns. Chiesa’s versatility and ability to operate in different forward positions could give Iraola another option as he looks to keep his team competitive across multiple competitions.

A return for Liverpool’s October 11 meeting with Manchester City had previously been considered possible. However, that date has passed, and his current availability requires clarification.

Liverpool supporters will now be hoping for a positive update on his training progress and a clearer indication of when he could feature again.

Expected return: Unconfirmed, with a fresh update needed on his fitness.

Giovanni Leoni: Liverpool Face Waiting Game Over Young Defender

Giovanni Leoni remains a major long-term concern for Liverpool after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury to his left knee during his Anfield debut against Southampton in the Carabao Cup.

The serious injury was initially expected to keep the young centre-back out for approximately a year, representing a significant setback for a defender regarded as an important part of Liverpool’s future.

Leoni has reportedly made encouraging progress during his rehabilitation, with earlier projections suggesting that he could progress through certain recovery stages ahead of Bradley.

However, rehabilitation progress does not automatically mean a player is ready to return to full team training. Liverpool must carefully assess his strength, mobility and overall fitness before allowing him to resume competitive action.

An earlier estimate suggested a possible return towards the end of 2026, but that timeline should be treated cautiously until the club provides a clearer assessment.

For now, the priority will be ensuring that Leoni makes a complete recovery rather than rushing him back before he is ready.

Expected return: Uncertain, with his recovery and medical assessment determining the timeline.

Joe Gomez Provides Welcome Boost for Liverpool

While several Liverpool players continue their recovery programmes, Joe Gomez has provided some encouraging news after returning to the squad for the Bournemouth fixture.

The defender has recovered from a muscle problem, giving Iraola another option at the back as Liverpool navigate a challenging schedule.

Gomez’s ability to play both centre-back and full-back makes him a valuable member of the squad, particularly while other defenders remain unavailable.

If he maintains his fitness and avoids further setbacks, his availability could help ease the pressure on Liverpool’s defensive options in the coming weeks.

His return may not attract the same attention as the anticipated comebacks of Ekitike or Bradley, but it could still prove important as Liverpool look to manage their workload across domestic and European competitions.

What Liverpool’s Injury Situation Means for Iraola

Liverpool will be hoping for further positive news as their injured players continue working towards their respective comebacks. However, the club’s medical team must balance the need for reinforcements with the importance of preventing further setbacks.

Ekitike faces a lengthy recovery from his Achilles injury, Bradley is still working towards a return to full team training, Chiesa’s current availability needs clarification, and Leoni remains a longer-term concern.

Meanwhile, Gomez’s return offers some immediate relief at the back.

Getting these players back to full fitness could strengthen Liverpool’s options considerably, particularly as the fixture schedule becomes more demanding.

For Iraola, patience will be essential. The Reds need their injured stars back, but ensuring they return fully fit and ready to contribute must remain the priority.

Liverpool supporters will now be waiting for further updates from the club, with the coming weeks potentially providing a clearer picture of when the missing players could return.