Barcola and Munoz injury doubts ahead of Brighton clash
Liverpool have been handed a fresh fitness scare ahead of their Premier League meeting with Brighton, with Bradley Barcola and Victor Munoz both missing from team training this week.
Liverpool.com reports that Andoni Iraola's side face a tricky clash at Anfield this weekend, and notes that the Reds "may be dealing with a few injury issues" heading into the match (Liverpool.com). This Is Anfield confirms the same two absences, saying Barcola and Munoz "miss team training" and that the reasons behind their absence have been "explained" (This Is Anfield).
The Liverpool Echo adds more detail, reporting that Barcola was seen "training alone at Liverpool's AXA Centre base on Thursday," which suggests his issue is being managed individually rather than as part of a straightforward knock picked up in a group session (Liverpool Echo). This separate detail from the Echo gives the clearest picture of how the club are currently handling the situation, even though the outlets broadly agree that both players were missing from the main training group.
On Munoz, none of the reports offer much further detail beyond confirming his absence alongside Barcola, so it remains unclear exactly what has kept the young full-back out of training.
Separately, the Liverpool Echo has also published a piece on Barcola's broader development at the club, reporting that he has been "challenged to raise his level mentally" as he looks to justify his £123m move from Paris Saint-Germain in late August (Liverpool Echo). While this isn't directly tied to the injury news, it adds context to the scrutiny Barcola is under as he settles into life at Anfield.
Taken together, the picture painted by Liverpool.com, This Is Anfield and the Liverpool Echo is consistent: both Barcola and Munoz were absent from training this week, with Brighton looming as Liverpool's next test. The Echo's separate report suggests Iraola and his staff will be watching Barcola's fitness closely, while supporters await further clarity on whether either player will be available for the weekend fixture.
Written with the help of AI, using the headlines from the publishers credited above. Each point links to the original report — tap the source name to read it in full.