Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola delivered a double fitness update on Bradley Barcola and Cody Gakpo ahead of their Premier League clash with Fulham.
The Reds welcome the winless Cottagers to Anfield on Saturday for a 3pm kickoff as they look to maintain their unbeaten start to the season.
Barcola was a concern heading into the match after being subbed off with an apparent problem on the hour mark of Wednesday’s 2-1 comeback win over Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Champions League.
But Iraola has assuaged fears the £123 million signing has picked up an injury, revealing that the France star merely had cramp and should be available for selection this weekend.
Gakpo, meanwhile, missed the game entirely with an adductor issue he sustained against Ipswich Town last week. The attacker is a doubt to feature against Fulham and needs to be assessed ahead of the game.
The Netherlands international’s absence would be a low to Liverpool after starting the campaign strongly, registering a goal and three assists in their opening three league games.
Barcola and Gakpo fitness update issued ahead of Liverpool vs Fulham
“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,” Iraola said at his pre-match press conference on Friday.
“Cody we will see. He did not train yesterday [Thursday], so today we will try with him and let’s see if he’s ready for tomorrow [Saturday] or we need to wait until the next one.
Iraola added that Hugo Ekitike remains a long way off a return to action after rupturing his Achilles in April. The striker is expected to fully recover by January at the earliest.
“Hugo, it’s difficult with these long-term injuries,” he said. “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.”
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