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Andoni Iraola has confirmed that Cody Gakpo "has a chance" of featuring this weekend after he sat out Wednesday's 2–1 victory against Atlético Madrid.
The Reds launched their Champions League campaign with a win thanks to strikes from Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister, though the absence of the in-form Gakpo in attack made things considerably harder.
The Dutchman, who has contributed four goal involvements across three appearances this season, was ruled out with an adductor problem, but Iraola has offered an encouraging update regarding his potential comeback.
"Cody finished the game the other day against Ipswich with some adductor issues. Both sides. Nothing specific," Iraola disclosed ahead of kickoff against Atléti.
"[It is] not a proper injury. But we didn't want to risk him, and I think it makes sense he can rest and hope we can recover him.
"If it's not for the weekend, it's for the next one. But I think even for the weekend he has a chance."
Liverpool host former right back Álvaro Arbeloa and his Fulham side at Anfield in the Premier League this Saturday, with Gakpo having registered a goal or assist in four of his last five encounters against the Cottagers.
Iraola Calms Injury Fears Over Two Liverpool Stars
With Gakpo potentially sidelined for the weekend fixture, Liverpool were then left anxious over the fitness of Bradley Barcola after he went down clutching his leg just before the hour mark against Atléti.
The summer signing was taken off shortly after, limping away from the pitch following an assessment by Liverpool's medical team.
However, Iraola eased concerns over a serious injury after the final whistle, clarifying that Barcola had simply been dealing with cramp.
"It is cramp. It is just cramp, there is no injury," the manager stressed. "With Bradley, it's about building his physical condition. We don't really know—or we didn't know until now, probably—how much he can play because he hasn't had any minutes in preseason for PSG."
Milos Kerkez was another player who departed the field in discomfort against Atléti, but Iraola confirmed that his substitution in the 88th minute was also the result of cramp.
"Milos and Bradley were just cramping [and] were just tired," Iraola added. "I think I always want to do subs because of this, because you've given everything, you don't have any more, perfect.
"We do the subs, not because you haven't run and I have to sub you. So, I prefer when you've done everything you can and then we sub you because you cannot run anymore."