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Liverpool assess Gakpo fitness ahead of Fulham clash
12th September, 2026 08:37 AM
Liverpool are waiting on the fitness of Cody Gakpo as they prepare to host Fulham in the Premier League on Saturday, September 12, 2026 at Anfield.
Gakpo missed Wednesday’s, September 9, 2026 Champions League meeting with Atletico Madrid at Anfield after suffering what head coach Andoni Iraola described as ‘adductor issues’.
The Netherlands international remains a doubt for the Fulham fixture, although Bradley Barcola is expected to be fit after being forced off during the second half of his full debut against Atletico.
Iraola said the club would make a final assessment of Gakpo after training on Friday, September 11, 2026.
“We still need to train,” Iraola told his pre-match press conference. “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.”
Joe Gomez could also return to the squad after making progress in his recovery from a muscle problem sustained during pre-season. Federico Chiesa, meanwhile, is continuing his rehabilitation from injury.
Liverpool will still be without long-term absentees Conor Bradley, Hugo Ekitike and Giovanni Leoni.
Iraola also offered an update on Ekitike, who is recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon, although the forward is still some way from a full return.
“I think it’s difficult with these long-term injuries, I think he’s still far [away],” he said.
“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.”
Fulham are expected to have only one injury absentee, with Tom Cairney ruled out because of a knee problem.
Head coach Alvaro Arbeloa said the final training session would determine whether any other players were unavailable.
“We have to wait until the last training session,” head coach Arbeloa said. “But just Tom [is currently out injured] and we will see after the training session if everyone is ready.”
Arbeloa, a former Liverpool defender who made 98 appearances for the club between 2007 and 2009, will be hoping to secure his first Premier League points as Fulham manager when his side visit Anfield.
The Spaniard admitted the return to his former club will carry special significance.
“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 enter the match after a 2-1 victory over Atletico Madrid on September 9, while Fulham suffered a 3-2 defeat to Crystal Palace four days earlier.
Liverpool’s last starting XI: Alisson, Araujo, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Kerkez, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Barcola, Wirtz, Ngumoha, Isak.
Fulham’s last starting XI: Leno, Castagne, Andersen, Bassey, Robinson, Charles, Iwobi, Bobb, King, Palacios, Garcia.
