Bradley Barcola fitness latest ahead of Liverpool vs Fulham at Anfield

Liverpool look set to have Bradley Barcola available for Fulham, which matters because attacking depth is already being tested and Andoni Iraola has little reason to gamble this early in the season.

Barcola made his full Liverpool debut in the Champions League win over Atletico Madrid and came off after an hour. That raised the obvious question, injury or workload? Iraola’s answer was direct. “Barcola was just cramp,” the Spaniard said on Friday. “We have to evaluate how he is today, but there is no injury. I think he should be available if everything goes normal. “He played 30 the other day [and] today we had some question marks, how many minutes he can give us and probably now we know.”

Barcola availability eases Liverpool concerns

That is the key point. Liverpool did not spend £123 million on Barcola to lose him after one start. If he is fit enough to feature, he starts or at the very least gives Iraola a serious option from the left or in a fluid front line around Alexander Isak.

The bigger issue may be Cody Gakpo. He missed the midweek win with an adductor problem and there is no certainty he will be ready. Iraola was cautious, saying, “Cody, we will see, We will try today and see if he is ready for tomorrow or if we need to wait until the next one.” That is not the language of certainty.

Liverpool team news points to stable defence

If Gakpo misses out, Rio Ngumoha and Victor Munoz are on standby, while Jeremie Frimpong remains an alternative on the right. None of those options are ideal replacements for Gakpo’s output, given he has delivered a goal contribution in every Premier League game so far this season.

At the back, Liverpool should be more settled. Milos Kerkez also suffered cramp against Atletico Madrid, though he is expected to be fine. That means Iraola can keep the same back four for a third straight match. Continuity helps, especially with Fulham likely to test wide areas and second balls.

Fulham clash offers chance to build momentum

Alisson Becker is available despite his FA misconduct fine. In midfield, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai are expected to continue, with rotation more likely in the Carabao Cup tie against Tottenham next week.

Up front, Alexander Isak leads the line and will look to add to his three Premier League goals. Liverpool have enough here to beat Fulham. The main question is not quality, it is how much Iraola wants to push Barcola and Gakpo before the schedule tightens further.

Predicted Lineup vs Fulham

Liverpool Predicted XI: Alisson, Araujo, Jacquet, Van Dijk (C), Kerkez, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Wirtz, Barcola, Munoz, Isak.