Iraola confirms Ekitike still far from return as Shearer urges Barcola to sharpen his finishing

Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola has confirmed that striker Hugo Ekitike is still some way from returning to action, while Alan Shearer has urged new signing Bradley Barcola to improve his finishing after a pair of missed chances in the Champions League.

Ekitike has been sidelined since suffering a serious Achilles injury in April, and despite footage of the French international training with a ball during rehabilitation generating optimism among supporters, Iraola was measured in his assessment ahead of Saturday’s Premier League fixture against Fulham at Anfield.

“I think it is difficult with these long-term injuries. I think he is still far away,” Iraola said. “We had a meeting with the medical to analyse when we completed the list for the European games. There is a reasonable chance that he could help us in the last two games of the Champions League group stages, but it is still very early to say.”

Ekitike was included in Liverpool’s Champions League squad for the current campaign despite his absence, and Iraola suggested a return in January remains a realistic, if cautious, target. “If we decided to put him there it is because there is a hope and a realistic chance that he could help us in January, yes,” he added. Liverpool close out their Champions League league phase with a trip to Inter Milan on 19 January and a home game against Lens on 27 January.

Elsewhere, Barcola’s debut period at the club has drawn scrutiny from former Newcastle and England striker Alan Shearer, who believes the £123 million summer signing from PSG must convert more of the chances he creates. The winger missed two one-on-one opportunities against Atlético Madrid on Wednesday — the first saved by Jan Oblak, the second sent wide — before being substituted at the hour mark with a calf cramp.

“Liverpool have got Gakpo, they’ve got Barcola, they’ve got Ngumoha, they’ve got Munoz as well,” Shearer said. “So they’ve got those players to play both sides, but Barcola needs to improve his numbers in front of goal.”

Barcola has made two appearances since his late-August arrival and, while Liverpool have averaged two goals per game across their opening fixtures, Iraola has yet to fully integrate his attacking options with Ekitike still absent. Back-to-back wins over Ipswich Town in the Premier League and Atlético Madrid in the Champions League have steadied the ship after successive 2-2 draws against Newcastle and Nottingham Forest.