Liverpool v Fulham Team News: Cody Gakpo Doubt, Bradley Barcola Boost

Liverpool go into Saturday’s Premier League meeting with Fulham waiting on Cody Gakpo’s fitness. The forward missed the midweek win over Atletico Madrid at Anfield because of what Andoni Iraola called “adductor issues”, and there is still no certainty over whether he will be ready.

The situation is straightforward. Gakpo is doubtful, Bradley Barcola should be fine, Joe Gomez is close, Federico Chiesa is still recovering, and three longer-term absentees remain out. Fulham, by contrast, have far fewer problems, with Tom Cairney expected to be their only definite absentee.

Cody Gakpo fitness latest before Fulham

Iraola kept it short and clear when asked about his squad. “We still need to train [on Friday],” he said. “We train this afternoon, evening. But, yes, Barcola was just cramps.

“Obviously he finished tight in the game and then we have to evaluate with how are things today – but there’s no injury. He should be available if everything goes normal.

“[With] Cody, we will see. He didn’t train yesterday. Today, we will try with him and let’s see if he’s ready for tomorrow or we need to wait for the next one.”

That means Liverpool are likely to leave the decision on Gakpo until the last possible moment. It also means there is no drama around Barcola. He came off during the second half of his full debut against Atletico, but the issue was cramp, not damage.

Liverpool injury update on Gomez, Chiesa and Ekitike

Joe Gomez could return to the squad after the muscle problem that has kept him out since pre-season. Chiesa is not there yet and continues his rehabilitation.

Conor Bradley, Hugo Ekitike and Giovanni Leoni remain sidelined. Ekitike’s absence is the most significant of the longer-term cases, with the striker still working his way back from a ruptured Achilles tendon.

Iraola said: “I think it’s difficult with these long-term injuries, I think he’s still far [away].

“But we had a meeting with the medical department to analyse when we completed the [squad] list for the European games. There is a reasonable chance that he could help us in the last two games of the group stages.

“But it’s still very early to say. It’s very early because it’s a long-term injury [and] a big part of the rehab [he] is still to meet. But if we decide to put him there, it is because there is a hope and there is a realistic chance that he could help us in January.”

So, no need to overstate it. There is hope, there is a timeline, but there is no immediate return.

Fulham team news and Alvaro Arbeloa return to Anfield

Fulham arrive at Anfield with fewer selection concerns. Cairney is dealing with a knee injury and remains the only obvious absentee ahead of the trip to Merseyside.

Arbeloa said: “We have to wait until the last training session. But just Tom [is currently out injured] and we will see after the training session if everyone is ready.”

The Fulham head coach also returns to a ground he knows well after making 98 appearances for Liverpool between 2007 and 2009. His start in the Premier League dugout has yet to produce points, but sentiment will not matter much once the game starts.

On going back to Anfield, Arbeloa said: “It will be so special. I went back when I was a Real Madrid player but now it’s my first time as a coach. Anfield will always be a special place for me.

“We have a massive game for us and we have been working really hard this week. We know that we have to improve and we need to adjust some parts of our game.”

Liverpool beat Atletico Madrid 2-1 last time out and should head into this one with confidence. Fulham lost 3-2 to Crystal Palace and still look a side searching for balance. The key question for Liverpool is simple, whether Gakpo makes it in time.