Liverpool Afternoon Round-Up, Friday 23rd October 2026: Iraola Gives Injury Updates Ahead of Brighton Clash
Andoni Iraola held his pre-Brighton press conference on Friday afternoon, and injuries dominated the agenda (Liverpool Echo) (LiverpoolFC.com). The head coach confirmed Dominik Szoboszlai will miss Sunday's visit of Brighton after limping off against Brentford last weekend, though Iraola suggested the midfielder's return is "not far" (Liverpool.com) (This Is Anfield). Victor Munoz has also been sidelined this week, with Iraola giving the latest on his availability alongside Bradley Barcola (Liverpool.com) (LiverpoolFC.com). The good news for Liverpool is that Barcola has been passed fit to face the Seagulls (This Is Anfield) (Liverpool Echo). The Echo reports that the Reds are still set to be without six players in total for the match (Liverpool Echo) (Liverpool Echo).
On team selection, Iraola gave a cryptic response when asked about Rio Ngumoha starting again after the youngster's impressive showing against Villarreal in the Champions League (Liverpool.com), while This Is Anfield's predicted XI has Ngumoha starting (This Is Anfield). Alan Shearer has also backed a "phenomenal" Liverpool player to start against Brighton amid the club's injury concerns, according to Liverpool.com (Liverpool.com). Iraola was pressed on Ryan Gravenberch's best position after the midfielder was used at right-back during Tuesday's 4-3 win over Villarreal, with the Echo listing five positions he could fill and Iraola naming his preferred one (Liverpool.com) (Liverpool Echo). The head coach also explained his "full gas" approach, saying he wants his players to leave everything out there (This Is Anfield), and sent a clear message to his forwards about competition for places, with Lewis Koumas among those stepping up in Alexander Isak's absence (Liverpool.com).
Away from team news, Liverpool.com reports the club have been running the rule over a Galatasaray player valued at $66million who was previously chosen ahead of Manchester United target Bruno Fernandes (Liverpool.com). The Echo also reports that Liverpool officials attended a meeting over on-loan winger Harvey Elliott, who is yet to start for Valencia, with the two clubs said to be in agreement over his situation (Liverpool Echo). Elsewhere, This Is Anfield reports a £25million offer from Liverpool for a winger has been given a quick response by Valencia (This Is Anfield). On a potential January move, the Echo reports that Endrick's agent has made an admission regarding the striker's future following a reported Liverpool enquiry (Liverpool Echo).
In other news, Liverpool.com reports Arsenal have been hit by a fresh Bukayo Saka injury setback that could rule him out of next week's trip to Anfield (Liverpool.com), while Jurgen Klopp gave a memorable answer when children asked him to name the best player he ever coached (Liverpool.com).
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