Liverpool's Injury Update: Barcola Boost and Gakpo Doubt Ahead of Fulham Clash

Andoni Iraola moved to calm Liverpool nerves over Bradley Barcola but admitted Cody Gakpo remains a major doubt ahead of Fulham’s visit to Anfield on Saturday.

Liverpool host the winless Cottagers in a 3pm kickoff, protecting an unbeaten league start and riding the high of a midweek European comeback. The concern, briefly, was that their £123 million summer headline act might not be there to help continue the charge.

Barcola scare eased

Barcola was withdrawn on the hour in Wednesday’s 2-1 turnaround against Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Champions League, sparking fears that the France international had suffered a setback so early into his Liverpool career.

Iraola knocked that idea down.

“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 at his pre-match press conference.

For a player already central to Liverpool’s attacking identity, that verdict matters. Cramp, not muscle damage. Fatigue, not a layoff. Anfield expects to see him again on Saturday.

Gakpo still in doubt

The news on Gakpo is less clear.

The Dutch forward missed the win over Atletico entirely after picking up an adductor issue against Ipswich Town last week. His absence stripped Liverpool of one of their sharpest early-season performers: a goal and three assists in the opening three Premier League games underline just how influential he has been.

“Cody we will see,” Iraola said. “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.”

No guarantees. No green light yet. For a side that has leaned heavily on his creativity, losing Gakpo against a deep-lying Fulham defence would be a genuine blow.

Long road back for Ekitike

While Barcola’s issue proved minor and Gakpo clings to a chance of involvement, Hugo Ekitike remains on a very different timeline.

The striker ruptured his Achilles in April and is still working his way back, with Liverpool targeting January as the earliest realistic point for a full return.

“Hugo, it's difficult with these long-term injuries,” Iraola admitted. “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’s present is defined by Barcola’s explosiveness and Gakpo’s craft. Their future might yet lean on Ekitike’s recovery. For now, though, the question is simple: can Iraola send out enough firepower on Saturday to keep this unbeaten run rolling?