Liverpool Injury Update: Gomez Nears Return, Chiesa and Ekitike Long-Term

Liverpool finally have lift-off under Andoni Iraola. A first win on Friday night, a clean sheet, and Alexander Isak walking away from Portman Road with the match ball in all but name after his two goals in the 2-0 victory over Ipswich.

Now comes the real measuring stick: Atletico Madrid at Anfield on Wednesday in the Champions League. And as the stakes rise, the injury picture is beginning to shift.

Most of Iraola’s absentees remain long-term concerns, but there is at least one defender edging back towards the fold.

Joe Gomez

The most immediate good news for Liverpool lies with Joe Gomez.

The defender’s summer started in the worst possible way, forced off inside 10 minutes of the first pre-season friendly. Iraola initially braced supporters for a spell without him.

“He will be some weeks off,” the Liverpool head coach said after the Sunderland game in Nashville. “It's a muscle injury and [with] muscle injuries it is difficult to say one day, but normally I always put [it] as one month.”

That conservative estimate has proved about right. The difference now is that Gomez is finally approaching the home straight.

Before the trip to Ipswich, Iraola revealed: “Joe will probably start training with us next week, and it has gone normally.

“The recovery from a muscle injury – more or less, we were expecting the time on this. I hope we can have him before the break, let’s say.”

If that schedule holds, Gomez is being lined up for a return in the Premier League against Fulham at Anfield on September 12, offering Iraola an important extra option in defence as the fixtures begin to pile up.

Potential return date: September 12 vs Fulham (H)

Federico Chiesa

Federico Chiesa’s Liverpool career has yet to get going this season.

The Italian forward has missed the opening three matches with a muscle issue after feeling something in his back during the pre-season friendly against Como. The club have opted against any risks with a player whose explosiveness is central to his game.

Iraola does not expect to see him back in competitive action until after the upcoming international break.

“I think even Fede should be around those dates [after the international break],” he said last week.

The internal target is Liverpool’s home clash with champions Man City on October 11, a night made for a player of Chiesa’s profile if he can hit the ground running.

Potential return date: October 11 vs Man City (H)

Hugo Ekitike

Hugo Ekitike’s situation is more complex and more painful.

His impressive debut campaign was abruptly halted in April when he ruptured his Achilles tendon, a brutal injury for any forward built on sharp movement. He has not played since.

There is optimism that he will feature again before the year is out, but no one inside the club is putting a firm date on it yet.

“Hugo will go [later this year],” Iraola said last week, underlining that this remains a long game.

For now, Liverpool are simply waiting for the all-clear on his final stages of rehab before any talk of a matchday squad becomes realistic.

Potential return date: Late 2026

Conor Bradley

On the opposite flank, Conor Bradley is still working his way back from a serious setback of his own.

The right-back has been sidelined since January after suffering an injury against Arsenal. The Northern Ireland international has already undergone surgery and remains out, but the club believe his road back will be shorter than Ekitike’s.

Iraola hopes Bradley will not be too far behind Chiesa in terms of a competitive return, which would hand Liverpool another energetic, aggressive option on the right.

Potential return date: Late 2026

Giovanni Leoni

One of Liverpool’s most unfortunate stories is close to a more positive chapter.

Italian defender Giovanni Leoni tore his ACL on debut against Southampton a year ago and has not played for the club since. A full season lost before his Anfield career had really begun.

The mood has changed in recent weeks. Leoni is now on the brink of rejoining full training.

“I think the plan is also to start training during the [international] break, with the group,” Iraola said ahead of the win over Ipswich.

Liverpool have pencilled in the Man City home game on October 11 as a realistic target for his first appearance back, provided he comes through that return to group work without any setbacks.

Potential return date: October 11 vs Man City (H)

Atletico’s visit will almost certainly come too soon for any dramatic comeback story, but the picture behind the scenes is clear: Iraola’s squad, stretched early, is slowly knitting itself back together. How quickly those returning players can hit their stride may define what this season becomes.