Liverpool injury update: Bradley Barcola, Cody Gakpo, Milos Kerkez latest news and return dates | OneFootball

Andoni Iraola hit by new triple concern ahead of Fulham clash in Premier League

Bradley Barcola handed Liverpool a huge injury scare during Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid.

The Reds’ new £123milion signing was making his first start for the club as they began their latest league phase campaign at Anfield.

However, Barcola missed a number of chances during the heavyweight showdown on Merseyside and limped off after an hour.

The France international was replaced by fellow summer arrival Victor Munoz having gone down clutching at his left calf in pain.

Milos Kerkez was also withdrawn hurt late on by head coach Andoni Iraola, who was already without Cody Gakpo due to injury.

Here is all the latest Liverpool injury news and potential return dates as attention quickly turns back to the Premier League this weekend and a visit from Fulham, which is promptly followed by a showdown with Tottenham in the Carabao Cup third round.

Bradley Barcola

The major talking point of Liverpool’s 2-1 comeback win over Atletico - secured thanks to goals from Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister - was Barcola, who made his first start since that blockbuster late summer transfer from Paris Saint-Germain after coming off the bench for his debut in Friday’s 2-0 top-flight win at Ipswich.

It was a disappointing night for the 24-year-old, who was denied by goalkeeper Jan Oblak before missing the target with a huge opportunity after half-time.

Liverpool fans were understandably fearful after seeing him go down clutching his left calf, surrounded by worried team-mates, with Barcola withdrawn on the hour mark.

Injury scare: Bradley Barcola was surrounded by Liverpool team-mates after going down against Atletico Madrid

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However, Iraola has since confirmed that he was suffering from cramp rather than an injury, meaning he should be fit to be involved against Fulham on Saturday.

“I just asked him if it was cramp and he said yes, so that was a relief,” Iraola said.

“It was just cramp. We have been rushing Bradley a little bit because he hadn’t played any minutes in pre-season.

“We wanted him to play but said to just give us whatever he had. We have another game in three days.”

Potential return date: Saturday September 12, vs Fulham (H)

Cody Gakpo

Liverpool were without Gakpo against Atletico, after Iraola revealed that he suffered adductor issues against Ipswich at Portman Road.

However, it is not a serious problem and the Dutch forward - who stayed at Anfield this summer after a late £80m transfer to Manchester City collapsed - could also be back in contention to face Fulham.

"Cody finished the game the other day against Ipswich with some adductor issues. Both sides. Nothing specific,” Iraola said ahead of facing Atletico.

"[It is] not a proper injury. But we didn't want to risk him, and I think it makes sense he can rest and hope we can recover him.

"If it's not for the weekend, it's for the next one. But I think even for the weekend he has a chance.”

Potential return date: Saturday September 12, vs Fulham (H) or Tuesday September 15, vs Tottenham (H)

Milos Kerkez

Kerkez started at left-back for Liverpool against Atletico, but endured an evening to forget and was at fault for Marcos Llorente’s early opening goal.

It was a sloppy display from the Hungarian international, who also went down late on and received treatment before being replaced by Kostas Tsimikas.

However, like Barcola, Kerkez was suffering from cramp and should also not need to miss any time at all.

Tough night: Milos Kerkez struggled for Liverpool before being substituted late on

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"Milos and Bradley were just cramping [and] were just tired," Iraola said. "I think I always want to do subs because of this, because you've given everything, you don't have any more, perfect.

"We do the subs, not because you haven't run and I have to sub you. So, I prefer when you've done everything you can and then we sub you because you cannot run anymore."

Potential return date: Saturday September 12, vs Fulham (H)

Hugo Ekitike

Ekitike has not played for Liverpool since rupturing his Achilles tendon in last season’s Champions League quarter-final second-leg tie against Paris Saint-Germain.

He underwent surgery in April and missed the World Cup with France, with initial estimates that he would require eight to nine months on the sidelines.

Ekitike has gradually been stepping up his return bid, this week posting footage on Snapchat of him kicking a ball against the wall in an indoor setting. The video was captioned: “Warm-up.”

Iraola has said that he expects the former Eintracht Frankfurt star to return later this year, though it remains difficult to pinpoint exactly when he will be ready.

Potential return date: November 2026

Joe Gomez

Gomez is yet to play for Liverpool this term, having suffered an unspecified muscle injury just eight minutes into Iraola’s very first game in charge - the 4-2 win over Sunderland on the club’s pre-season tour of the USA in July.

The England defender was not ready for the start of the campaign, though Iraola recently said that he expected him to resume team training this week.

“The closest one is Joe,” Iraola said last week. “Joe will probably start training with us next week and it has gone normally, the recovery, from a muscle injury, more or less we were expecting the time on this. I hope we can have him before the break, let’s say.”

Gomez - who has been pictured training - seems unlikely to play any part against Fulham, but Iraola’s latest update could have him on track for involvement against Tottenham or Bournemouth before the extended three-week international break, after which Liverpool host Manchester City.

Potential return date: Tuesday September 15, vs Tottenham (H) or Sunday September 20, vs Bournemouth (A)

Working hard: Joe Gomez returned to Liverpool team training this week

AFP/Getty

Federico Chiesa

Chiesa was linked with a Liverpool exit again during the summer transfer window and has yet to feature this season due to a back problem sustained in the final friendly against Como.

He should resume training during the international break and be available for selection quickly thereafter, barring any further setbacks.

Potential return date: Sunday October 11, vs Manchester City (H)

Conor Bradley

Bradley last played for Liverpool in January, when he suffered a significant knee injury late on against Arsenal that required surgery.

The Northern Ireland right-back has been recovering and rehabbing ever since, with Iraola expecting him to return around a similar time to Ekitike.

Potential return date: November 2026

Giovanni Leoni

Leoni suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee while making his Liverpool debut against Southampton in the Carabao Cup last September.

The teenage defender was expected to miss a full year of football after undergoing surgery, which is what has transpired.

Iraola recently revealed that Leoni - like Chiesa - should begin working with the team again during the upcoming international break, though he will obviously need more time to regain full fitness.

“I think the next one probably should be Giovanni Leoni,” Iraola said. “I think the plan is also to start training during the break, with the group.