Liverpool injury latest: Gomez and Chiesa near return as Ekitike remains sidelined

Liverpool could receive a double injury boost ahead of their trip to Ipswich Town, with Joe Gomez and Federico Chiesa both approaching returns to first-team action.

Andoni Iraola remains without several long-term absentees, including Hugo Ekitike, Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni, but the immediate situation is beginning to improve.

Gomez appears the most likely player to return this week, while Chiesa is also recovering from a relatively minor muscle problem.

Here is the latest Liverpool injury news and potential return dates.

Gomez has been unavailable since suffering a muscle injury during Liverpool's first pre-season friendly against Sunderland in Nashville.

The defender managed only 10 minutes before being forced off, with Iraola subsequently estimating that he would require around a month to recover.

“He will be some weeks off,” Iraola explained. “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.”

Gomez has subsequently missed the beginning of Liverpool's Premier League campaign but is now nearing his comeback.

The trip to Ipswich on September 4 represents a potential opportunity for the versatile defender to return to the squad.

Potential return date: September 4 vs Ipswich (A)

Chiesa has missed Liverpool's opening two league fixtures after sustaining a muscle injury during the pre-season meeting with Como.

Iraola described the issue as a “small muscle injury” when confirming the Italian was unavailable for the game against Nottingham Forest.

There has been no indication that Chiesa faces an extended spell on the sidelines, meaning he could potentially return alongside Gomez against Ipswich.

Potential return date: September 4 vs Ipswich (A)

Ekitike remains one of Liverpool's most significant long-term absentees.

The striker had made an impressive start to his career on Merseyside, scoring 11 goals in 28 Premier League appearances and another three times in the Champions League.

His season was brought to a premature end in April when he ruptured his Achilles.

Ekitike has remained sidelined since and Iraola has made clear that the forward is still months away from competitive football.

Potential return date: Late 2026

Bradley has not played since suffering a serious knee injury against Arsenal in January.

The Northern Ireland international required surgery and remains some distance from returning despite continuing his rehabilitation.

Liverpool have strengthened their options at right-back during his absence, with Jeremie Frimpong, Calvin Ramsay and Ronald Araujo providing alternatives.

Potential return date: Late 2026

Leoni is approaching the final stages of a lengthy recovery from the ACL injury he suffered against Southampton in the Carabao Cup last season.

The 21-year-old missed the remainder of the campaign, but Iraola has identified him as the closest of Liverpool's long-term absentees to returning.

“In terms of order, I think the closest one to returning is Leoni,” Iraola said.

The Liverpool manager expects Bradley and Ekitike to follow later, although all three still face significant rehabilitation periods.

Potential return date: Late 2026

Liverpool will monitor Gomez and Chiesa ahead of the trip to Ipswich, with both potentially strengthening Iraola's squad this week.

Leoni, Bradley and Ekitike require considerably more patience. Leoni appears furthest along in his rehabilitation, while Iraola has warned that Bradley and Ekitike remain months away from returning.