Liverpool enter the new Premier League season with several injury concerns. New manager Andoni Iraola has taken over from Arne Slot but has not secured the summer additions he might have wanted, leaving the squad light in some areas. Injuries have compounded the issue. The Reds ended their pre-season with a 2-0 friendly win over Como on Sunday, with Iraola fielding what could be his opening-day starting XI.
Bradley and Ekitike face lengthy absences
Right-back Conor Bradley has been out since January after suffering a serious knee injury against Arsenal, requiring surgery. He has not featured in any pre-season friendly, with Jeremie Frimpong, Calvin Ramsay, and new signing Ronald Araujo covering the position. His return is not expected until winter 2026.
Striker Hugo Ekitike, who scored 11 Premier League goals in 28 games and three in the Champions League, ruptured his Achilles in April and has not played since. Iraola ranked Ekitike last among long-term absentees in terms of return, stating it would be “months” before the forward is back. His potential return is also winter 2026.
Jones and Leoni closer to returns
Curtis Jones missed the Como friendly with a hip issue. Iraola said: “Curtis has trained every day but yesterday finished with issues in the hip. It doesn't look anything big but it didn’t make any sense to risk and those are the ones, more or less, closer to a return.” He could be available for the August 23 match at Newcastle.
Defender Giovanni Leoni, who tore his ACL against Southampton in the Carabao Cup last summer, is closing in on a comeback. Iraola said in late July: “In terms of order, I think the closest one to returning is Leoni. After that it 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.” Leoni’s potential return is autumn 2026.
Gomez sidelined with muscle injury
Joe Gomez limped off after 10 minutes in the first pre-season friendly against Sunderland in Nashville. Iraola confirmed a muscle injury and said in July: “He will be some weeks off. It's a muscle injury and [with] muscle injuries it is difficult to say one day, but normally I always put [it] as one month. If it goes very good the injury is a little bit less, if [not] it goes a little more. 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.” He is expected back around September 4 against Ipswich.
