Barcola Set to Be Available for Fulham Clash, But Gakpo Remains a Doubt

Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola has confirmed Bradley Barcola should be available for Saturday's Premier League clash with Fulham, allaying fears over an injury after the £123m signing was substituted late in the midweek Champions League win over Atletico Madrid.

"Barcola was just cramps," Iraola said. "Obviously he finished tight in the game and then we have to evaluate how things are today, but there's no injury. He should be available if everything goes normal." The winger had made his first start for the club in that match after joining from PSG, with the withdrawal coming as a precaution rather than due to any fresh problem.

Cody Gakpo, however, remains a doubt after missing the Atletico win entirely with what Iraola described as "adductor issues," an injury he picked up during last week's win at Ipswich. The Dutch international had not returned to training as of Thursday, with Liverpool set to make a late assessment before deciding on his involvement. Gakpo has been in excellent form this season, assisting all three of Alexander Isak's Premier League goals so far. Elsewhere, Joe Gomez is close to a first involvement of the season, while Federico Chiesa, Conor Bradley, Hugo Ekitike and Giovanni Leoni remain unavailable.