Liverpool Afternoon Round-Up, Thursday 15th October 2026: Iraola Gives Mixed Injury News Ahead of Brentford as Leoni Setback Confirmed
Andoni Iraola has been speaking to the media on Thursday ahead of Saturday's trip to Brentford, with the door left open for a triple injury return among his squad (Liverpool.com) (This Is Anfield) (LiverpoolFC.com). The Liverpool boss gave specific updates on Gakpo, Isak and Szoboszlai, suggesting there is a chance they could be involved (Liverpool.com) (LiverpoolFC.com) (Liverpool Echo).
There was less positive news on Giovanni Leoni, with Iraola admitting the young defender's recovery from his ACL injury has not gone to plan and that his return is being delayed (Liverpool.com) (LiverpoolFC.com) (This Is Anfield) (Liverpool Echo) (The Guardian). The Guardian quotes Iraola saying "it is taking more time than we wanted," while This Is Anfield reports suggestions the issue may be "more serious than just ACL" (This Is Anfield) (The Guardian).
On team selection, Iraola explained his thinking behind rotating Jeremie Frimpong and Ronald Araujo at right-back (Liverpool.com) (This Is Anfield), and also discussed who might come in to replace the suspended Ryan Gravenberch against Brentford (Liverpool.com). He addressed his decision to hand the captaincy to Kostas Tsimikas rather than Alisson during the midweek win over LASK (Liverpool.com), and said the double centre-back change made in that game was partly made with Brentford in mind, admitting "it is difficult" (Liverpool.com). Iraola also challenged his players to embrace a hectic schedule, saying "we haven't slept" (Liverpool Echo).
Liverpool's 6-3 Champions League hammering of LASK continues to generate reaction, with Bradley Barcola's hat-trick earning him praise from the UK press as "unplayable" and from Iraola himself as a glimpse of the club's future (Liverpool.com) (Liverpool.com). Ousmane Dembele sent Barcola a brief congratulatory message after the display (Liverpool.com), while Trey Nyoni also impressed his manager (LiverpoolFC.com).
Elsewhere, Steven Gerrard has urged Iraola to make a change involving Florian Wirtz, with Jamie Carragher reportedly sharing similar views on the midfielder's struggles since his big-money move (Liverpool.com) (Liverpool Echo).
On the transfer front, Liverpool are said to be waiting in the wings over Bournemouth's Alex Scott amid reports of a contract decision at his current club (Liverpool.com), while the Reds have also been linked with Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton, with a reported instruction given amid Scott's valuation being assessed (Liverpool Echo).
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