Federico Chiesa will miss Liverpool's Premier League game against Nottingham Forest because of a back injury, head coach Andoni Iraola has confirmed. The Italian is one of five players currently out injured as Liverpool prepare for their first home game of the new campaign at Anfield.
Chiesa ruled out with back problem
Chiesa was not included in Liverpool's squad last weekend and is set to miss out again. Iraola said: "Fede is not available, in the game against Como he felt something in his back." No potential return date has been given for the forward.
The Reds claimed a dramatic point in their opening game of the season away at Newcastle United. Jeremy Jacquet was struggling in the second half of his competitive debut, though Iraola confirmed on Thursday that he was just fatigued. Harvey Elliott was not named in the matchday squad, with the head coach explaining he currently prefers other options.
Long-term absentees and expected return dates
Iraola is expected to pick the same 20 players for the visit of Forest, with Hugo Ekitike, Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni his long-term absentees. Joe Gomez is expected to return before the trio after suffering his muscular problem in July.
On Ekitike and Bradley, Iraola said: "In terms of order, I think the closest one to returning is Leoni. After will be Conor and Hugo, but especially the last two are still way off. We are talking about months and still a lot of time out." Both are expected back in late 2026 or early 2027.
Gomez and Leoni updates
Gomez suffered his injury four weeks ago and does not look set for a return anytime soon. Iraola said: "Joe will be some weeks off. It's a muscle injury... it is difficult to say [how long], but normally, I always put myself as one month. It's not massive, it's a normal muscle injury, [but] I think it's going to be impossible to have him for the start of the season because we are not so far [away]. It shouldn't be a lot more." His potential return date is September or October.
Leoni has been out of action for 11 months but is getting closer to a return. His potential return date is late 2026.
