Liverpool's Barcola Boost Amid Gakpo's Fitness Concerns Before Fulham Clash

Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola moved to calm fears over Bradley Barcola’s fitness but admitted Cody Gakpo is in a race against time to make Saturday’s Premier League meeting with Fulham at Anfield.

The unbeaten Reds host the winless Cottagers in a 3pm kickoff, looking to extend their strong start to the season, and the status of two key forwards dominated Iraola’s pre‑match briefing.

Barcola scare eased after Atletico win

Barcola triggered alarm bells on Wednesday night when he was withdrawn on the hour in the 2-1 comeback victory over Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Champions League, having appeared to signal a problem as he left the pitch.

Given the £123 million fee Liverpool paid for the France international, any hint of an issue was always going to spark concern. Iraola quickly shut that 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 boss said on Friday.

The winger’s availability would be a major boost as Liverpool try to keep their early momentum rolling in front of a home crowd expecting another statement performance.

Gakpo a doubt after adductor issue

The news on Gakpo is less straightforward.

The Netherlands international did not feature at all against Atletico after suffering an adductor problem in last week’s match against Ipswich Town. His involvement against Fulham remains uncertain.

“Cody we will see. 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,” Iraola explained.

Gakpo’s potential absence would cut deep. He has opened the league campaign in sharp form, with one goal and three assists across Liverpool’s first three Premier League fixtures, and has become a central part of Iraola’s attacking structure.

Long road back for Ekitike

There was also an update on Hugo Ekitike, who has been sidelined since rupturing his Achilles in April. His situation remains long term, but Liverpool are at least beginning to circle potential dates.

“Hugo, it’s difficult with these long-term injuries,” Iraola 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.”

For now, Liverpool head into the weekend balancing optimism over Barcola with caution over Gakpo, knowing that every attacking option could matter as they try to turn an unbeaten start into a sustained title push.