Liverpool's Defensive Boost: Joe Gomez Nears Return for Champions League
Liverpool finally have a tailwind. A first win under Andoni Iraola – a sharp, controlled 2-0 victory at Ipswich on Friday, powered by an Alexander Isak brace – has settled some early nerves. Now the question inside Anfield is simple: who, if anyone, can they get back in time for Europe?
Atletico Madrid arrive on Wednesday for Liverpool’s Champions League opener. Iraola’s squad is still stretched, but one key defender is edging back into view.
Joe Gomez close to comeback
Joe Gomez’s pre-season lasted less than 10 minutes. The defender limped off in Liverpool’s first friendly of the summer and has not been seen in competitive action since.
Initially, Iraola 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 month is just about up. The tone has changed.
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 all goes to plan, Liverpool expect Gomez to be available around the home game against Fulham on September 12. A fully fit, battle-ready version before the international break would be a major boost for a squad light on defensive depth.
Potential return date: September 12 vs Fulham (H)
Federico Chiesa set for October return
On the other side of the pitch, Liverpool are still waiting to see Federico Chiesa in competitive action. The Italian forward has missed the first three games of the season with a muscle issue, having “twanged something” in his back during a pre-season friendly against Como.
Iraola does not expect a quick fix here. The club are working to a longer timeline, with October pencilled in.
“I think even Fede should be around those dates [after the international break],” the Liverpool boss said last week.
That points towards a return around the time Liverpool host Manchester City, a date that already feels like a marker in their season.
Potential return date: October 11 vs Man City (H)
Hugo Ekitike’s long road back
Hugo Ekitike’s Liverpool story started brightly and then stopped suddenly. His outstanding debut campaign was cut short in April when he ruptured his Achilles tendon, an injury that demands patience and careful management.
He has not played since. The club are refusing to rush him.
“Hugo will go [later this year],” Iraola said last week, expressing confidence that the French international can feature again before the year is out.
There is still no firm date for his long-awaited comeback, and Liverpool will not gamble with such a serious injury. For now, the expectation remains that his return will be towards the back end of the calendar year.
Potential return date: Late 2026
Conor Bradley still sidelined
On the right flank, Conor Bradley continues his own rehabilitation. The Northern Ireland international has been out since January after suffering an injury against Arsenal and has already undergone surgery.
He is still sidelined, but there is cautious optimism that he will beat Ekitike back to the pitch. Iraola has suggested Bradley should not be far behind Chiesa in the recovery queue, hinting at a possible return later in the year.
Potential return date: Late 2026
Giovanni Leoni closing in after ACL nightmare
Giovanni Leoni’s Liverpool career stalled almost before it began. The Italian youngster tore his ACL on debut against Southampton a year ago and has not played for the club since. Twelve months of frustration may finally be easing.
“I think the plan is also to start training during the [international] break, with the group,” Iraola said ahead of the win over Ipswich.
If that schedule holds, Leoni could be back in contention around the same time as Chiesa, with the Manchester City clash again looming as a potential staging post.
Potential return date: October 11 vs Man City (H)
So Liverpool head into their Champions League opener still carrying scars, but with the promise of reinforcements on the horizon. If Gomez steps back in as planned and Chiesa and Leoni follow in October, Iraola’s first Liverpool side will soon start to look a lot more like his own.
