Liverpool's Injury Woes Ahead of Premier League Opener
Andoni Iraola faces an anxious wait over the fitness of several Liverpool players as he prepares for his first Premier League game in charge away to Newcastle United on Sunday.
The new head coach steps into competitive action with his squad already stretched. Four senior players are certain to miss the trip to St James’ Park, three of them with long-term issues that will shape Liverpool’s early-season options.
Injuries
Hugo Ekitike is the most serious case. The forward, sidelined since suffering a major Achilles injury in early April, is battling to play again before the end of the calendar year. On the right flank, Conor Bradley is still working his way back from significant knee damage sustained at Arsenal in early January, ruling him out of the opener.
At centre-back, Giovanni Leoni is edging closer to a return to full training after an ACL injury that has kept him out since last September, but this weekend comes too soon. Joe Gomez, meanwhile, remains unavailable after a muscle problem picked up in the opening pre-season friendly against Sunderland, an untimely setback that has halted his preparations.
The uncertainty doesn’t stop there. Curtis Jones, who has attracted transfer interest from Inter, has missed the last two weekends with a hip issue and is a doubt for Sunday. Goalkeeper Freddie Woodman, absent from both friendlies against Como on Sunday, has been managing an injury throughout pre-season and also faces a race against time.
Liverpool’s younger options have been hit as well. Striker Jayden Danns and midfielder Stefan Bajcetic are both sidelined with muscle problems, trimming Iraola’s depth even further ahead of a demanding opening fixture.
Newcastle’s Situation
Newcastle, dealing with their own summer of change, have fitness problems of their own. Joelinton is out for several weeks with an undisclosed issue, depriving them of one of their key midfield presences. At the back, Valentino Livramento and Fabian Schar are both doubtful for Liverpool’s visit, adding another layer of uncertainty to Eddie Howe’s selection.
Two squads reshaped over the summer. Two benches patched together for the opening weekend. Whoever handles the absences better on Tyneside will set the tone for their season.
