Gakpo faces race against time to face Fulham as adductor injury lingers

Cody Gakpo is uncertain to feature for Liverpool against Fulham this Saturday after the Dutch forward was ruled out of the club’s 2-1 Champions League victory over Atlético Madrid in midweek with adductor issues on both sides. Manager Andoni Iraola confirmed the injury concern in his pre-match press conference, stopping short of ruling Gakpo out entirely.

“Cody, we will see,” Iraola said. “We will try today and see if he is ready for tomorrow, or if we need to wait until the next one.”

The 27-year-old had been one of Liverpool’s standout performers in the opening weeks of the Premier League season, registering four goal involvements in his first three league appearances. He scored a long-range effort in the 2-2 opening-day draw at St James’ Park, set up a key chance in a second successive 2-2 draw against Nottingham Forest, and then assisted both of Alexander Isak’s goals in a 2-0 win at Ipswich Town — Liverpool’s first Premier League victory since April.

Only Mohamed Salah, who contributed six times across the opening matches of the 2024-25 campaign, has produced more goal involvements during the start of a league season for Liverpool this century.

Bradley Barcola, who replaced Gakpo in the starting line-up against Atlético Madrid, also came off during that match, though Iraola was far more relaxed about the Frenchman’s condition. “Barcola was just cramps. We have to evaluate how he is today, but there is no injury. I think he should be available if everything goes normal,” the manager said.

Liverpool have scored at least twice in every Premier League and Champions League fixture so far this season, but have conceded five goals in four games. Notably, in their only clean sheet of the campaign — the win over Ipswich — the newly-promoted side actually generated a higher expected goals figure than the Reds.

Gakpo’s availability will be confirmed closer to kick-off on Saturday, with Iraola indicating a final fitness test is planned before the squad is named.