Liverpool Injury Update: Return Dates for Barcola, Gakpo and Kerkez
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola confirmed that new signing Bradley Barcola and left-back Milos Kerkez avoided injury during Wednesday’s 2-1 Champions League comeback win against Atletico Madrid at Anfield, with both players suffering from cramping caused by a lack of pre-season match fitness. The update provides immediate relief ahead of Saturday’s Premier League fixture against Fulham.
Assessing the Bradley Barcola Fitness Scare and Tactical Workload
The headline story from Liverpool’s European campaign opener centered on Barcola, who made his first start following a blockbuster £123m summer transfer from Paris Saint-Germain. He was replaced by fellow summer arrival Victor Munoz.
Initial fears of a severe tear were quickly dismissed by the technical staff. Iraola clarified in post-match remarks that the forward was merely exhausted from high-intensity output without adequate preparation time. “We have been rushing Bradley a little bit because he hadn’t played any minutes in pre-season,” Iraola stated, according to match reports. “I just asked him if it was cramp and he said yes, so that was a relief.” Barcola is expected to be available for selection against Fulham on Saturday, September 12.
Cody Gakpo Recovery Timeline and Adductor Status
While Barcola and Kerkez cleared their post-match hurdles, Cody Gakpo’s status remains day-to-day. The Dutch forward missed the Atletico Madrid fixture entirely after sustaining minor adductor issues on both sides during the previous Premier League outing against Ipswich Town at Portman Road.
Iraola emphasized that the issue is not a proper structural injury, noting that the club simply chose not to risk compounding the fatigue. Gakpo, who remained on Merseyside after a late £80m transfer to Manchester City collapsed, is targeted for an immediate return either for the weekend visit from Fulham or the Carabao Cup third-round clash against Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday, September 15.
Milos Kerkez and Defensive Depth Management
Milos Kerkez endured a difficult evening on the left side of the defense, directly conceding an early goal to Atletico’s Marcos Llorente before dropping to the turf late in the match. However, medical evaluations confirmed no fiber tearing occurred. The Hungarian international was simply suffering from acute fatigue after running himself into the ground, leading to his late substitution for Kostas Tsimikas.
“Milos and Bradley were just cramping and were just tired,” Iraola explained to club media. “I prefer when you’ve done everything you can and then we sub you because you cannot run anymore.”
Wider Squad Rehabilitation and Long-Term Outlook
Beyond the immediate starting XI fitness updates, Liverpool’s medical department continues to monitor several longer-term absentees as the autumn schedule intensifies:
- Joe Gomez: Nearing a return to full training following a muscular problem picked up in a July pre-season friendly against Sunderland, with a September comeback targeted.
- Federico Chiesa: Recovering from a back injury that delayed his season debut; expected to ramp up rehabilitation following the upcoming international break in October.
- Giovanni Leoni: In the final stages of recovering from an ACL tear, with full training slated for October.
- Conor Bradley: Continuing a long-term recovery protocol following ACL surgery after sustaining an injury against Arsenal earlier in the year, with an anticipated return window between October and December.
- Hugo Ekitike: Out long-term after rupturing his Achilles tendon against Paris Saint-Germain during last season’s Champions League quarter-finals, with a return expected in the first half of 2027.
Disclaimer: The insights provided in this article are for informational and entertainment purposes only and do not constitute medical advice or sports betting recommendations.