Iraola Faces Gakpo Doubt Ahead of Arbeloa's Anfield Return

Andoni Iraola heads into the weekend still unsure whether Cody Gakpo will be fit to face Alvaro Arbeloa’s Fulham at Anfield.

The Dutch forward missed Liverpool’s midweek win over Atletico Madrid with what Iraola described as “adductor issues” and remains a major doubt for the clash with the Cottagers.

“[With] Cody, we will see,” Iraola said in his pre-match press conference. “He didn't train yesterday. Today, we will try with him and let's see if he's ready for tomorrow or we need to wait for the next one.”

If Gakpo is touch and go, Bradley Barcola looks far more certain to feature. The winger was forced off in the second half of his full debut against Atletico, sparking fears of a setback, but the diagnosis was far more encouraging.

“Barcola was just cramps,” Iraola explained. “Obviously he finished tight in the game and then we have to evaluate with how are things today – but there's no injury. He should be available if everything goes normal.”

Joe Gomez could also come back into contention as he edges closer to full fitness after a muscle problem suffered in pre-season. Federico Chiesa remains in recovery, working his way back from his own injury issues.

The longer-term picture is less optimistic. Conor Bradley, Hugo Ekitike and Giovanni Leoni are still sidelined, with Ekitike’s ruptured Achilles tendon ruling him out for most of the campaign. Even so, Liverpool have not completely closed the door on his involvement this season.

“I think it's difficult with these long-term injuries, I think he's still far [away],” Iraola admitted. “But we had a meeting with the medical department to analyse when we completed the [squad] list for the European games. There is a reasonable chance that he could help us in the last two games of the group stages.

“But it's still very early to say. It's very early because it's a long-term injury [and] a big part of the rehab [he] is still to meet. But if we decide to put him there, it is because there is a hope and there is a realistic chance that he could help us in January.”

Arbeloa’s Anfield homecoming

On the opposite bench, Arbeloa arrives on Merseyside with a cleaner medical report but a heavier burden in the league table.

Tom Cairney, out with a knee problem, is expected to be Fulham’s only absentee for the trip north. The rest of the squad will be assessed after their final training session.

“We have to wait until the last training session,” Arbeloa said. “But just Tom [is currently out injured] and we will see after the training session if everyone is ready.”

For Arbeloa, this is no ordinary away game. The Spaniard made 98 appearances for Liverpool between 2007 and 2009 and has already returned once as a Real Madrid player. Coming back as a head coach, though, carries a different weight.

“It will be so special,” he said. “I went back when I was a Real Madrid player but now it's my first time as a coach. Anfield will always be a special place for me.

“We have a massive game for us and we have been working really hard this week. We know that we have to improve and we need to adjust some parts of our game.”

Fulham travel still hunting their first Premier League points under Arbeloa, having lost 3-2 at home to Crystal Palace in their last outing. That defeat followed a Liverpool side that edged past Atletico Madrid 2-1, with Iraola’s men grinding out a result despite the injuries and early-season teething problems.

Liverpool lined up that night with Alisson behind a back four of Araujo, Jacquet, Virgil van Dijk and Kerkez. Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister and Barcola formed the midfield support for Florian Wirtz, Ngumoha and Alexander Isak in attack.

Fulham’s most recent XI featured Leno, Castagne, Andersen, Bassey and Robinson at the back, Charles and Iwobi in midfield, with Bobb, King, Palacios and Garcia ahead of them.

Now the narratives collide at Anfield: Iraola juggling fitness calls, Arbeloa chasing his first points in the dugout at the stadium where he once patrolled the right flank. Which storyline moves on, and which one stalls, will be decided under the lights on Merseyside.