‘The problem is…’ – Andoni Iraola issues concerning Liverpool injury update after Anfield win
Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version from Empire Of The Kop or go back to LFC Live.
Andoni Iraola is unsure as to whether or not Liverpool will have Cody Gakpo available for the Premier League clash against Fulham on Saturday.The Dutchman picked up an adductor issue in last week’s win over Ipswich and was left out of the Champions League fixture against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday night as a precaution.There were a couple of minor injury scares during the 2-1 victory over Diego Simeone’s side, although the head coach clarified afterwards that Bradley Barcola were withdrawn due to cramp rather than anything more serious.However, Iraola continues to sweat on the availability of Gakpo for the Fulham game and is hoping that the 27-year-old will be passed fit to play at the weekend.Iraola uncertain about Gakpo’s fitness for SaturdayWhen asked if the Dutchman will be back for Saturday, the head coach replied (via liverpoolfc.com): “I don’t know. I hope so, but I don’t know.
It’s not a big thing, but the problem is we play here in two days and a half.(Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)“I think now is a moment of recovery in these two days. If not, Rio [Ngumoha], Victor [Munoz], I think today everyone has done a big effort.“We need to recover, we need to regroup and think because in two days and a half we play again here [against] Fulham.
It’s a very important game again for us, so I hope we can have Cody with us, but I cannot guarantee it.”Want more Empire of the Kop coverage? Prior to Wednesday, he’d only played 26 minutes of football in that time (when he came off the bench against Ipswich six days ago).His fellow winger could be touch-and-go for the Fulham game at the weekend, and with another quick turnaround to facing Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday, Iraola’s inclination might be to err on the side of caution.Liverpool could do with getting Gakpo back sooner rather than later, considering the excellent start he’s had to the campaign (a goal and three assists after three games), and the head coach may also be trying to manage Barcola’s minutes after not having had a pre-season.Here’s hoping that both will get the all-clear for Saturday and the Reds will have the full attacking deck, other than the already confirmed absences of Hugo Ekitike and Federico Chiesa.