The Kopite View

It wasn’t the afternoon Liverpool supporters wanted.

A 0-0 draw at Anfield against Fulham felt like two points dropped, particularly after the excitement of Wednesday night’s Champions League victory over Atlético Madrid.

But even in a disappointing performance, there were some positives to take.

Here are mine.

1. Clean sheet

Let’s start with the obvious one.

Liverpool kept a clean sheet.

It wasn’t always comfortable, either.

Fulham created some good opportunities and Liverpool had a couple of worrying moments, particularly early on, but the defence ultimately stood firm.

After conceding four goals in the opening three league games, getting through a difficult afternoon without conceding is something to build on.

It wasn’t pretty, but a clean sheet is a clean sheet.

2. Jérémy Jacquet looks really good again

I’m becoming increasingly impressed with Jérémy Jacquet.

The young defender produced another mature performance and was arguably Liverpool’s best player.

His goal-line clearance early in the game was absolutely crucial after the mix-up involving Alisson and Ryan Gravenberch.

Without Jacquet’s intervention, Liverpool could easily have found themselves chasing the game.

He’s showing that he can handle Premier League football and, importantly, he’s starting to look like someone Iraola can genuinely trust.

There is a lot to like about Jacquet.

3. Barcola got more minutes in his legs

Bradley Barcola made his first Premier League start for Liverpool, which was another important step for the summer signing.

He didn’t have his best game and, like most of the Liverpool attack, struggled to make an impact.

But after his recent fitness concerns, getting more minutes into his legs is valuable.

These games are part of the process of getting him fully up to speed.

We know there’s a player in there.

The more football Barcola plays, the sharper he’ll become.

4. Mac Allister looked lively when he came on

Another positive was the impact of Alexis Mac Allister from the bench.

Liverpool needed something different in midfield and his introduction gave the team a little more control and attacking intent.

It wasn’t enough to win the game, but Mac Allister showed why having experienced players like him available is going to be important during a long season.

5. We didn’t lose a game we could easily have lost

This might sound strange after a home draw, but let’s be honest.

Fulham were dangerous.

They created opportunities and probably had the better chances over large parts of the match.

Liverpool were nowhere near their best and looked physically drained after Wednesday night’s Champions League effort.

So while a point isn’t what we wanted, at least Liverpool didn’t compound a poor performance by losing the game.

Sometimes you have to take the point and move on.

6. Iraola has another lesson to take from it

Perhaps the biggest positive of all is that Iraola will have learned something about his squad.

He is still working out which players can deliver in different circumstances and which combinations work best.

Today’s game showed him that Liverpool need to find ways of maintaining their intensity when playing twice a week.

That’s part of building a new team.

And if Iraola learns from afternoons like this, then even disappointing results can ultimately help Liverpool improve.

The bigger picture

Nobody is going to pretend that 0-0 was a good result.

It wasn’t.

But we shouldn’t throw everything away because Liverpool had a poor afternoon.

Clean sheet. Jacquet’s continued development. More minutes for Barcola. Mac Allister getting back into the action. Another lesson for Iraola.

There are positives.

Now Liverpool need to recover, learn from today and move on.

The season is a marathon, not a sprint.

Jamie (The Kopite View)

Liverpool’s goalless draw with Fulham was a frustrating afternoon at Anfield, particularly after the excitement of Wednesday night’s Champions League victory over Atlético Madrid.

But rather than panic, there are several important lessons for Andoni Iraola and his Liverpool team.

The Reds looked tired, lacked attacking cohesion and were second best for long periods as Fulham showed much more energy and created the better opportunities. Liverpool were fortunate not to fall behind early and needed a brilliant goal-line clearance from Jérémy Jacquet to keep the scores level.

Here are my five biggest talking points from the 0-0 draw.

1. Iraola still has a lot to learn about his team

This is probably the biggest takeaway.

Iraola is still working out exactly what his best Liverpool team looks like.

Today’s changes from the Atlético Madrid game didn’t really work, with Kostas Tsimikas, Ryan Gravenberch and Victor Muñoz all coming into the starting eleven.

Tsimikas was taken off at half-time, while Gravenberch and Muñoz followed shortly after the hour mark.

That tells us something.

Iraola is still experimenting with combinations and trying to understand which players can give him what he needs in different situations.

And that’s perfectly understandable.

This is a new Liverpool manager trying to build his own team.

We need to give him time.

There will be days when he gets things right and days when he gets things wrong.

Today’s game was certainly one where he will have learned a lot.

2. Gravenberch looks like he has lost some confidence

I really worry about Ryan Gravenberch at the moment.

There is a talented footballer in there, but he doesn’t look like the confident player we saw previously.

His early mistake almost cost Liverpool dearly when he lost possession after receiving a pass from Alisson, in fairness, it was a pass that put him under severe pressure, allowing Fulham to create a huge opportunity.

Jérémy Jacquet had to clear Gonzalo García’s effort off the line.

Gravenberch was eventually replaced by Alexis Mac Allister after an hour, and Liverpool looked more purposeful in midfield afterwards.

This isn’t about writing Gravenberch off.

Far from it.

But Iraola needs to find a way of getting his confidence back because Liverpool will need him over the course of a long season.

3. Liverpool looked like they had nothing left after Wednesday night

This was the most obvious difference between the Atlético Madrid game and today.

Liverpool simply didn’t have the same energy.

Wednesday night was a huge European occasion and Liverpool produced the intensity you’d expect from a team playing at Anfield under the lights.

Today was completely different.

The Reds looked sluggish, sloppy and short of ideas.

The turnaround was only around 65 hours, and even Iraola acknowledged afterwards that his team lacked the energy and freshness they had shown against Atlético.

Perhaps this was simply the price Liverpool paid for that fantastic European performance.

But it is also a warning.

If Liverpool want to compete across the Premier League, Champions League and domestic cups, the squad has to cope with these quick turnarounds.

4. Fulham were the better team and created more chances

We shouldn’t take anything away from Fulham.

They deserved their point.

In fact, there were periods where Fulham looked the more dangerous team.

Josh King was a constant threat, Alisson had to make important saves and Jacquet’s goal-line clearance prevented the visitors from taking the lead.

Opta’s post-match numbers showed Liverpool only narrowly edged the shot count, 14-10, while Fulham’s threat was clear from the chances they created.

That’s not something we usually expect to see at Anfield against a team that had lost their opening three league matches.

But Fulham were organised, aggressive and brave.

They probably deserved more than a point.

For Liverpool, that’s perhaps the most worrying aspect of the afternoon.

5. Liverpool look short of options when things aren’t working

This is the issue that concerns me most going forward.

When Liverpool are flying, the attacking options look frightening.

But what happens when the team is struggling?

Today, Iraola tried Kerkez, Mac Allister, Gakpo, Frimpong and Ngumoha to change the game.

There was some improvement, particularly after Mac Allister and Gakpo arrived, but Liverpool still couldn’t find a breakthrough.

And that tells us there is still work to do with the squad.

Liverpool need players who can come off the bench and change the tempo of a game immediately.

Someone who can inject energy.

Someone who can beat a man.

Someone who can find that killer pass.

Someone who can simply change the whole momentum.

That’s the difference between a good squad and a squad capable of competing for major honours.

Patience is required

I’m not going to judge Iraola after four league games.

Today’s performance was poor, but we’ve already seen what this Liverpool team can produce against Atlético Madrid.

The manager is still learning about his players, the players are still learning his system and the squad is still finding its identity.

That’s going to take time.

There will be frustrating afternoons like this.

The important thing is that Liverpool learn from them.

Today’s 0-0 draw wasn’t good enough, but it doesn’t suddenly mean everything is going wrong.

Give Iraola time. Give the players time.

And let’s see what this Liverpool team looks like once the manager has properly put his stamp on it.

Jamie (The Kopite View)

It would be easy to come away from Liverpool’s 0-0 draw with Fulham feeling frustrated.

I certainly am.

But I don’t think this is the time to start questioning Andoni Iraola or demanding instant success.

If anything, today’s game showed us exactly why we need to be patient with this Liverpool team.

Just 65 hours after the huge Champions League victory over Atlético Madrid, Liverpool simply didn’t have the same energy, intensity or sharpness that we saw on Wednesday night.

And that’s understandable.

We can’t expect perfection immediately

Wednesday night was everything we want to see from this Liverpool side.

The pressing, the intensity, the belief and the atmosphere at Anfield were outstanding.

Then, less than three days later, the same team looked flat against Fulham.

That’s football.

Iraola is trying to build a new Liverpool team with new players, new ideas and different combinations.

There will be good performances.

There will be poor performances.

There will be games where everything clicks, and there will be afternoons like today where Liverpool look completely out of rhythm.

That doesn’t suddenly make Iraola the wrong manager.

This is a project

I think Liverpool supporters need to accept that this is going to take time.

Iraola has inherited a squad with plenty of quality, but he’s still working out his best XI, his best midfield combination and how his attacking players fit together.

We’ve already seen encouraging signs.

The wins over Ipswich and Atlético Madrid showed what this team can potentially become, while the defensive structure has also looked more promising at times.

But today’s game was a reminder that we aren’t the finished article.

And that’s okay.

I’m not expecting a Premier League title challenge

If I’m being completely honest, I don’t think we should have Premier League title ambitions this season.

That might sound negative, but I actually think it could be liberating.

Liverpool have made significant changes and are learning under a new manager.

Rather than putting enormous pressure on Iraola to immediately win the league, I’d much rather see him build something that can genuinely challenge for the biggest prizes in the seasons ahead.

There are too many variables this season.

The squad needs to develop.

The new signings need time to settle.

The manager needs time to establish his methods.

And Liverpool need to learn how to cope with playing twice a week.

Today’s performance was a perfect example of that challenge.

The cups should be a priority

For me, the domestic cups and Champions League qualification should be the priority this season.

I’d love Liverpool to have a serious run in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup.

These competitions give Iraola the opportunity to develop his squad, give younger players minutes and potentially put a trophy in the cabinet while the team continues to evolve.

And we absolutely have to make sure we’re back in the Champions League next season.

That should be the minimum league objective.

If Liverpool can finish in the Champions League places while progressing in the cup competitions, I’d consider that a successful first season for Iraola.

Anything more would be a fantastic bonus.

Don’t forget what we saw on Wednesday

This is the important part.

We shouldn’t allow one poor performance to erase what we saw against Atlético Madrid.

That was a Liverpool team showing genuine signs of what Iraola is trying to create.

Today’s performance was poor.

But it came after a massive Champions League game, with less than three days to recover.

Even Iraola acknowledged before the match that the turnaround required a balance between recovery and preparation because of the physical effort against Atlético.

Liverpool didn’t have the same intensity today.

They looked tired.

They looked disjointed.

And they deservedly dropped two points.

But that doesn’t mean the project is failing.

Patience is the key

Liverpool supporters have become accustomed to success.

That’s understandable.

But sometimes you have to take a step back and look at the bigger picture.

Iraola needs time.

Time to work with the players.

Time to develop his system.

Time to find his best combinations.

Time to improve the squad.

And most importantly, time to build a team that can compete for the Premier League and Champions League over several seasons rather than expecting everything to happen immediately.

Today’s 0-0 draw was disappointing.

There’s no point pretending otherwise.

But I’m not going to judge Iraola’s Liverpool after four league games.

Let’s give the man time.

Get back into the Champions League.

Have a proper go at the cups.

Build the foundations.

And then, hopefully, we can start talking seriously about challenging for the Premier League again.

Patience now could pay off massively later.

Jamie (The Kopite View)

There is no getting away from it — Liverpool looked like a team suffering from a European hangover at Anfield.

Just a few days after the huge Champions League comeback against Atlético Madrid, the Reds were back at Anfield against Fulham but never really found the intensity, rhythm or attacking quality needed to win the game.

Liverpool had chances, but not enough of them, and ultimately they didn’t do enough to justify taking all three points.

The 0-0 draw was a fair reflection of a game in which Fulham made life difficult and Liverpool struggled to find the cohesion we’ve seen in recent performances.

Liverpool never found their rhythm

The biggest disappointment was how disjointed Liverpool looked going forward.

Florian Wirtz struggled to influence the game, while Alexander Isak and Bradley Barcola were largely quiet for long periods.

That attacking trio has the quality to hurt any Premier League defence, but Liverpool couldn’t get them into dangerous positions often enough.

Victor Muñoz was arguably the brightest of the attacking players, while Dominik Szoboszlai’s delivery almost produced the breakthrough, with Muñoz’s header forcing Bernd Leno into a good save.

But those moments were too few and far between.

Fulham deserve credit

It would be wrong to simply blame Liverpool.

Fulham came to Anfield with nothing to lose and made themselves difficult to play against. They were lively, aggressive and caused problems whenever Liverpool lost possession.

The Reds also had a couple of nervous moments defensively, meaning this was certainly not a case of Liverpool dominating for 90 minutes and being incredibly unlucky not to score.

They simply weren’t good enough often enough.

Was it the European hangover?

Perhaps.

Liverpool had played Atlético Madrid only around 65 hours earlier, making this a particularly quick turnaround after an emotionally demanding Champions League night.

Iraola made three changes to his starting XI, but the performance still lacked the energy and sharpness we saw against Atlético.

That’s football.

You can’t produce maximum intensity every three days, particularly when you’ve just played a Champions League game of that magnitude.

But Liverpool will still look at this as two points dropped.

The positives?

The clean sheet is certainly one.

Ronald Araújo once again looked composed at right-back, while Jérémy Jacquet and Virgil van Dijk dealt with most of what Fulham threw at them.

But Liverpool’s attacking players will know they need to offer considerably more.

A team with Wirtz, Isak, Barcola and Szoboszlai should be creating more than this.

A frustrating afternoon

Liverpool remain unbeaten in the league, but this was undoubtedly a frustrating afternoon at Anfield.

The Champions League victory over Atlético showed us what this Liverpool side can produce.

This performance showed that Iraola’s team is still a work in progress.

Perhaps this was simply the price of that midweek European exertion.

But against Fulham at Anfield, Liverpool had the opportunity to make another statement.

Instead, they walked away with a point.

Not a disaster — but certainly not good enough.

Jamie (The Kopite View)

Liverpool go into half-time at Anfield 0-0 against Fulham, and it’s been a frustrating opening 45 minutes for Andoni Iraola’s side.

After the excitement of Wednesday night’s Champions League victory over Atlético Madrid, Liverpool have struggled to find the same fluency against a lively Fulham side who have caused the Reds plenty of problems.

The biggest issue has been cohesion.

Liverpool haven’t really clicked in the final third, with Florian Wirtz struggling to influence the game and both Alexander Isak and Bradley Barcola largely on the periphery.

The quality we’ve seen from Liverpool’s attacking players in recent weeks simply hasn’t been there often enough.

Muñoz comes closest

Liverpool’s best opportunity came from an unlikely source.

A Dominik Szoboszlai corner found Victor Muñoz, who produced a header that was heading towards goal before Fulham managed to keep it out. Liverpool have also hit the woodwork, but the Reds haven’t created enough clear-cut chances considering the amount of possession they’ve enjoyed.

Muñoz has arguably been one of Liverpool’s more threatening players, showing plenty of energy and willingness to run at Fulham.

But overall, Liverpool need much more after the break.

Fulham causing problems

Credit has to go to Fulham.

They haven’t simply sat back and allowed Liverpool to dictate the game. They’ve been aggressive, energetic and have found ways to disrupt Liverpool’s build-up.

There was even a huge warning for Liverpool when a poor pass from Alisson was intercepted, leaving Jérémy Jacquet having to clear the danger off the line.

That’s something Iraola will certainly want to address at half-time.

Liverpool cannot afford to be so loose in possession, particularly against a Fulham side that clearly believe they can get something from this game.

Changes needed after the break?

The big question now is whether Iraola changes anything at half-time.

Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo are both sitting on the bench, while Rio Ngumoha is another attacking option.

Gakpo’s return to the squad is particularly encouraging after his recent fitness concerns, although Iraola may be reluctant to throw him straight into the action unless necessary.

But Liverpool need to find a way of getting Wirtz, Isak and Barcola into the game.

At the moment, they simply aren’t seeing enough of the ball in dangerous positions.

The good news is that it’s still 0-0.

Liverpool haven’t played well, but they remain in the game and have another 45 minutes to put things right.

Iraola needs to find a solution because Fulham are making this much harder than Liverpool would have wanted.

Jamie (The Kopite View)

Liverpool have confirmed their starting eleven to face Fulham at Anfield, and Andoni Iraola has made a few interesting changes following Wednesday night’s Champions League victory over Atlético Madrid.

The Reds line up with:

Alisson

Ronald Araújo – Jérémy Jacquet – Virgil van Dijk – Kostas Tsimikas

Ryan Gravenberch – Dominik Szoboszlai

Florian Wirtz

Bradley Barcola – Alexander Isak – Victor Muñoz

Gravenberch gets the nod

One of the biggest talking points is the decision to bring Ryan Gravenberch into midfield alongside Szoboszlai.

Alexis Mac Allister drops to the bench, meaning Iraola has opted for Gravenberch’s physicality and ability to carry the ball from midfield.

It could be an important afternoon for the Dutchman, particularly with Liverpool expected to have plenty of possession against a Fulham side that will look to make things difficult.

Tsimikas starts at left-back

There is also a change at left-back, with Kostas Tsimikas replacing Milos Kerkez.

Kerkez is among the substitutes, so this looks more like rotation than a major concern.

With Liverpool coming off a demanding Champions League game, Iraola clearly wants to manage the workload within his squad.

Barcola starts despite fitness concern

Perhaps the biggest positive is seeing Bradley Barcola named in the starting eleven.

There had been some concern after the Frenchman suffered cramp during his full debut against Atlético, but there was no injury and Iraola has decided he is fit enough to start again.

That’s a big boost.

Barcola showed flashes of his quality against Atlético and now gets another opportunity to build his match fitness and understanding with his new teammates.

Isak leads the attack

Alexander Isak starts through the middle once again.

The Swedish striker has made an excellent start to life at Liverpool, scoring twice against Ipswich before playing a key role in the victory over Atlético.

With Florian Wirtz operating behind him, Liverpool have plenty of creativity available in the final third.

And with Barcola and Muñoz providing width, this is still an extremely exciting attacking lineup.

Gakpo starts on the bench

Cody Gakpo is named among the substitutes after his recent adductor issue.

That gives Iraola an excellent option to change the game if required.

Mac Allister, Kerkez, Frimpong, Ngumoha and Gakpo are also available from the bench, meaning Liverpool have plenty of quality to call upon later in the match.

The full bench is:

Mamardashvili, Endo, Kerkez, Mac Allister, Gakpo, Frimpong, Nyoni, Koumas, Ngumoha.

After the huge win over Atlético, Liverpool now have the chance to make it three victories in a row.

The starting eleven has a slightly different look to the one that started in midweek, but there is still more than enough quality to get the job done.

Jamie (The Kopite View)

Liverpool return to Premier League action today looking to build on the momentum from Wednesday night’s excellent Champions League comeback against Atlético Madrid.

And for me, Andoni Iraola should resist the temptation to make too many changes.

There are still some fitness doubts, particularly around Cody Gakpo and Bradley Barcola, and with Liverpool having another game coming up on Tuesday, I wouldn’t take any unnecessary risks.

With that in mind, this is the team I’d like to see start against Fulham at Anfield:

Alisson

Ronald Araújo – Joe Gomez? – Virgil van Dijk – Milos Kerkez

Alexis Mac Allister – Dominik Szoboszlai

Florian Wirtz

Rio Ngumoha – Victor Muñoz

Alexander Isak

Barcola and Gakpo should be protected

I’m not expecting either Barcola or Gakpo to start.

Barcola is expected to be available after the cramp he suffered against Atlético, while Gakpo remains a bigger doubt after missing training with an adductor problem.

For me, there is absolutely no reason to gamble.

Barcola has only just arrived and is still building his match fitness, while Gakpo has been one of Liverpool’s most productive players at the beginning of the season.

If either is only 80 or 90 per cent, keep them on the bench.

There are enough attacking options available to Liverpool to put out a very strong side without them.

Araújo has to keep his place

One player who I absolutely want to see start again is Ronald Araújo.

The Uruguayan has been one of the biggest positives of Liverpool’s opening weeks and looked extremely comfortable at right-back against Atlético.

His defensive security gives Liverpool something slightly different, and with Jeremie Frimpong still adapting, Araújo deserves to keep his place.

I wouldn’t change something that is working.

Wirtz behind Isak

I’d also keep Florian Wirtz in the number 10 role.

The German has shown flashes of exactly why Liverpool paid so much to bring him to Anfield, and giving him another start alongside Isak should only help their understanding develop.

Isak is also beginning to look increasingly dangerous.

After his two goals against Ipswich, he’ll be desperate to add to his Premier League tally against Fulham.

And if Wirtz can find the space between Fulham’s midfield and defence, I can see him causing them plenty of problems.

My front three

With Gakpo and Barcola doubts, I’d go with Ngumoha, Wirtz and Muñoz behind Isak.

It’s a slightly different attacking combination, but it gives Iraola pace, movement and unpredictability.

Ngumoha deserves another opportunity after showing plenty of promise, while Muñoz has already demonstrated that he’s capable of making an impact when called upon.

Fulham are still looking for their first Premier League points of the season, while Liverpool have won their last two matches in all competitions.

This is a game Liverpool should be looking to control.

My Liverpool XI:

Alisson

Araújo – Jacquet – Van Dijk – Kerkez

Mac Allister – Szoboszlai

Ngumoha – Wirtz – Muñoz

Isak

I think that’s a very strong team even without Gakpo and Barcola.

And if Liverpool can get themselves into a comfortable position, that’s when I’d look to bring the likes of Gakpo and Barcola on rather than risk them from the start.

After the brilliant win over Atlético, this is about keeping the momentum going.

Three points today would make it three wins on the bounce — and suddenly Iraola’s Liverpool are really starting to look like a team.

Jamie (The Kopite View)

Liverpool youngster Ifeanyi Ndukwe could finally get his first taste of La Liga football this weekend, with Diario AS reporting that the defender is expected to make his debut for Levante against Barcelona.

It would be a huge occasion for the 18-year-old, who has been forced to wait for his opportunity since joining the Spanish club on loan from Liverpool.

Ndukwe completed his move to the Reds from Austria Vienna during the summer before immediately heading out to Levante for the 2026/27 campaign. Liverpool see the teenager as one for the future, and the loan move was designed to give him valuable senior experience.

Ndukwe impressed Liverpool in pre-season

Liverpool supporters will already know plenty about Ndukwe after he became one of the surprise stars of Andoni Iraola’s pre-season.

The young centre-back was thrown into the first-team picture because of Liverpool’s defensive injury problems and quickly showed that he was more than capable of handling himself against senior opposition.

His performances alongside Virgil van Dijk particularly caught the eye, with his composure and physical presence standing out despite his age.

Unfortunately, Ndukwe was unable to play competitive football for Liverpool because of work-permit restrictions, forcing the club to find him a loan move. Levante ultimately became his destination.

Now comes the big opportunity

Ndukwe has yet to make his competitive debut for Levante, but that could change against one of the biggest clubs in world football.

According to Diario AS, he is expected to be handed his first appearance against Barcelona this weekend.

That would be some introduction to Spanish football.

Barcelona will provide Ndukwe with an entirely different test from anything he experienced during Liverpool’s pre-season, but it is exactly the type of experience that could accelerate his development.

For Liverpool, the hope will be that regular La Liga football can help Ndukwe mature quickly and return to Anfield ready to compete for a first-team place.

A player Liverpool clearly believe in

Liverpool agreed a deal for Ndukwe earlier this year after he impressed during his time with Austria Vienna, and the club’s decision to send him to La Liga rather than simply keep him around the academy tells its own story.

The Reds want him playing senior football.

And if Ndukwe can establish himself at Levante, he could return to Liverpool next summer having gained an invaluable season of experience.

The fact his potential debut could come against Barcelona makes it even more exciting.

Liverpool supporters will certainly be keeping a close eye on this one.

Ndukwe’s journey at Liverpool has only just begun — and a debut against Barcelona could be the perfect next chapter.

Source: Diario AS (@diarioas)

Jamie (The Kopite View)

Liverpool came through their impressive Champions League victory over Atlético Madrid without adding another major injury to an already lengthy list of absentees.

The Reds secured a huge 2-1 win at Anfield in midweek, but attention now quickly turns to Saturday’s Premier League meeting with Fulham.

Andoni Iraola still has several players unavailable, although there are also some positive developments with players beginning to work their way back into contention.

Barcola expected to be available

Bradley Barcola was forced off during his full debut against Atlético after suffering cramp, but thankfully there is no injury concern surrounding the Frenchman.

Iraola confirmed that Barcola should be available for Fulham provided everything went normally in Friday’s training session.

“There’s no injury. He should be available if everything goes normal.”

That will be a relief for Liverpool, particularly given the lack of options currently available across the forward positions.

Barcola may not necessarily be asked to start again after playing an hour in midweek, but Iraola should at least have him available for the squad.

Gakpo remains the biggest doubt

Cody Gakpo is the more significant concern.

The Netherlands international missed the Atlético game after suffering some adductor discomfort during the win over Ipswich.

Iraola had hoped he would be able to train on Friday before making a decision on whether he could feature against Fulham.

“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.”

Liverpool certainly don’t need to take unnecessary risks with Gakpo this early in the season.

With another game coming up quickly, Iraola has options in attack and may decide that allowing Gakpo another few days to recover is the sensible approach.

Gomez is closing in on a return

Joe Gomez is another player who could potentially return to the matchday squad.

The defender has been sidelined since the summer with a muscle problem but returned to team training earlier this week.

Iraola had previously suggested Gomez could be back before the international break, so a place on the bench against Fulham would represent another positive step in his recovery.

His return would be particularly welcome given Liverpool’s defensive workload and the number of games still to come.

Long-term absentees remain out

There is less encouraging news regarding the players who remain on the longer-term injury list.

Federico Chiesa remains unavailable, while Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni are also still working their way back.

Hugo Ekitike is expected to be sidelined for considerably longer after suffering an Achilles injury.

However, there has been a fascinating update regarding the French striker.

Iraola revealed that Liverpool’s medical department believes there is a realistic chance Ekitike could potentially contribute in the final two Champions League league-phase matches in January.

Liverpool face Inter Milan on January 19 before travelling to face Lens on January 27.

Iraola was careful to stress that it remains far too early to make any promises, but the fact Ekitike was included in the European squad suggests there is genuine hope that he could return towards the end of the league phase.

“It’s still very early to say because it’s a long-term injury. A big part of the recovery is still to be met.”

That’s an important distinction. Liverpool won’t rush Ekitike back, but having him potentially available in January would provide Iraola with a huge boost.

Liverpool’s squad for Fulham

Goalkeepers: Alisson, Mamardashvili, Woodman

Defenders: Van Dijk, Araújo, Jacquet, Gomez*, Kerkez, Frimpong, Tsimikas, Chambers

Midfielders: Szoboszlai, Gravenberch, Wirtz, Mac Allister, Nyoni, Endo, McConnell

Forwards: Gakpo*, Munoz, Ngumoha, Isak, Barcola*, Koumas, Danns

* Doubt

Liverpool therefore still have plenty of quality available to Iraola, despite the injury list.

The biggest question will be whether Gakpo is fit enough to make the squad, while Barcola should be available and Gomez could potentially take another step towards a first appearance of the season.

After beating Atlético in midweek, Liverpool will want to maintain that momentum against Fulham.

And with the long-term injury situation thankfully showing signs of improvement rather than getting worse, there is reason for Iraola to remain positive.

Source: Liverpool FC

Jamie (The Kopite View)

Liverpool may already have identified another midfielder to keep a very close eye on ahead of next summer.

According to TEAMtalk, Liverpool remain interested in Inter Milan midfielder Aleksandar Stankovic, after making an enquiry about the 21-year-old during negotiations surrounding Curtis Jones.

The Reds explored whether Stankovic could potentially move in the opposite direction as part of the discussions, but Inter ultimately decided they wanted to keep hold of the midfielder for the season.

That decision could prove significant.

Liverpool are expected to reassess their midfield options in 2027, and Stankovic is reportedly firmly on their list of players they will continue to monitor.

Liverpool clearly liked what they saw

The fact Liverpool asked about Stankovic during the Jones negotiations suggests this wasn’t simply a case of throwing a name into the conversation.

The Reds had already done their homework on the young midfielder and apparently saw enough to investigate whether a deal could be possible.

That makes the situation particularly interesting.

Liverpool’s midfield has undergone plenty of change over the past couple of years, and with the club continuing to plan for the future, it makes sense that they are already looking at players who could potentially become long-term options.

Stankovic is still only 21, meaning Liverpool would be looking at a player with plenty of room to develop rather than someone expected to immediately walk into the starting XI.

The Curtis Jones connection is intriguing

There is also an interesting twist to this story given that the enquiry came during talks over Jones.

Inter ultimately got their man, but Liverpool apparently used the negotiations to explore the possibility of bringing Stankovic to Anfield.

That tells you something about the club’s recruitment thinking.

Liverpool aren’t simply looking at established stars. They are also keeping tabs on younger midfielders who could potentially develop into important first-team players.

And with the club expected to reassess the position again in 2027, Stankovic could become a name worth remembering.

For now, Liverpool will simply continue monitoring his progress.

But the fact they have already made an enquiry means he is clearly on their radar.

If Stankovic develops as Liverpool hope, don’t be surprised if the Reds return for him further down the line.

Source: TEAMtalk (@TEAMtalk)

Jamie (The Kopite View)