Anfield gets a slice of good news before Fulham roll into town. Andoni Iraola has confirmed that record signing Bradley Barcola is expected to be fit for Saturday’s Premier League clash, easing fears after his early withdrawal in midweek.
The £123 million forward was taken off on the hour in Liverpool’s 2-1 comeback win over Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Champions League, sparking concern that the France international had suffered a setback just as he was beginning to catch fire in red.
Not so.
“He finished the game tired,” Iraola explained at his pre-match press conference. “Barcola was just cramps… there’s no injury. He should be available if everything goes normal.”
For a Liverpool side intent on extending their unbeaten start to the league campaign, that matters. Barcola’s direct running and willingness to attack defenders have quickly become central to Iraola’s high-tempo blueprint, and the visit of a winless Fulham offers another stage for the 21-year-old to justify his price tag.
Gakpo a doubt after bright start
The picture is less clear with Cody Gakpo.
The Netherlands forward missed the Atletico tie altogether after picking up an adductor problem against Ipswich Town last week. He has been one of Liverpool’s sharpest attacking outlets in the opening weeks, with a goal and three assists in the first three league fixtures, and his potential absence would cut into Iraola’s options between the lines.
“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.”
That leaves Gakpo racing the clock. If he fails to come through Friday’s session, Liverpool will head into the Fulham game without a player who has helped set the early attacking tone of their season.
Long road back for Ekitike
One situation remains far more long term. Hugo Ekitike, sidelined since rupturing his Achilles in April, is still some distance from a return, even if the club can finally begin to sketch out a tentative timeline.
“Hugo, it’s difficult with these long-term injuries,” Iraola admitted. “He’s still far.”
The medical and coaching staff have already met to discuss their European squad list, and Ekitike’s name came up as a calculated gamble.
“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,” Iraola said. “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.”
For now, Liverpool’s immediate focus is clear. Keep the unbeaten run alive, ride the energy of Anfield, lean on a fit-again Barcola – and hope Gakpo can join him in time to punish a Fulham side still searching for their first league win.
