Gakpo Doubt Lingers as Fulham's Arbeloa Returns to Anfield
Andoni Iraola is braced for another anxious wait on Cody Gakpo as Liverpool prepare to welcome a familiar face back to Anfield in Alvaro Arbeloa – but this time in the opposition dugout.
Gakpo doubt lingers, Barcola boost
Gakpo missed Wednesday night’s win over Atletico Madrid with what Iraola described as “adductor issues”, and the Dutch forward remains a major doubt for the clash with Arbeloa’s Fulham.
The medical picture is clearer with Bradley Barcola. The winger, forced off in the second half of his full debut in midweek, has escaped with nothing more serious than cramp and is expected to feature.
“We still need to train on Friday,” Iraola said in 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 how things are 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.”
Gakpo’s creativity and penalty-box presence were missed at times in the 2-1 victory over Atletico, when Liverpool lined up with Barcola, Florian Wirtz and Rio Ngumoha behind Alexander Isak. Iraola will not want to be without his forward again as the fixtures begin to stack up.
Injury picture: cautious optimism and long roads back
There is at least some encouragement elsewhere. Joe Gomez is edging closer to a return after a muscle problem suffered in pre-season, while Federico Chiesa continues to work his way back from his own lay-off.
Long-term casualties remain a more sobering theme. Conor Bradley, Hugo Ekitike and Giovanni Leoni are still sidelined, and Iraola struck a realistic tone when asked about Ekitike’s recovery from a ruptured Achilles tendon.
“I think it’s difficult with these long-term injuries, I think he’s still far [away],” he admitted.
“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.”
The calculation is clear: gamble a European squad spot now in the hope that a proven attacker can change the complexion of a group campaign deep into the winter.
Fulham light on absentees, heavy on pressure
On the other side, Arbeloa travels north with a far cleaner injury list. Only Tom Cairney, out with a knee problem, is expected to miss the trip to Merseyside.
“We have to wait until the last training session,” the Fulham head coach said. “But just Tom is currently out injured and we will see after the training session if everyone is ready.”
Fulham arrive still searching for their first Premier League points under Arbeloa, who watched his side lose a 3-2 thriller to Crystal Palace last time out. They lined up with Bernd Leno behind a back four of Timothy Castagne, Joachim Andersen, Calvin Bassey and Antonee Robinson, with Luke Charles, Alex Iwobi and Oscar Bobb supporting a front line of King, Palacios and Garcia.
Defensive frailties cost them against Palace. Anfield is an unforgiving place to try to fix those.
Arbeloa’s Anfield return
For Arbeloa, this is no ordinary away day. The Spaniard made 98 appearances for Liverpool between 2007 and 2009, winning admirers for his consistency and intelligence at full-back. He has been back before as a Real Madrid player. Returning as a coach is different.
“It will be so special,” he said. “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.”
An emotional backdrop, then, but little room for sentiment. Arbeloa needs points. Iraola needs momentum. Anfield, as ever, will decide whose need is greater.
