Liverpool Injury News: Ekitike, Chiesa, Bradley and Leoni Return Timelines
Liverpool’s injury list is finally shortening, and that matters. Andoni Iraola needs continuity, repetition and a stable core if this rebuild is going to move at proper speed. Getting one centre-back back for 45 minutes against Spurs was a start. After a muscle injury at the beginning of pre-season, and after being out since July, he returned to the starting XI before Jeremy Jacquet took over at the break. No drama, no fuss, just a step forward.
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That leaves Liverpool with one fewer absentee and, more importantly, a clearer picture of what is still missing. Right now, four names stand out, Hugo Ekitike, Federico Chiesa, Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni.
Hugo Ekitike recovery remains long term
Ekitike is the most significant absence. Liverpool are short of options in attack and the French striker’s ruptured Achilles, suffered in April against Paris Saint-Germain, has left a sizeable hole. He has not played since, and he also missed the World Cup.
There is progress, but it is limited. He has been back doing ball work, which is useful, but it does not mean an immediate return. Achilles injuries work to their own timetable and clubs ignore that at their peril. The current expectation is a comeback before the end of the year, with a potential return date of December 2026.
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Federico Chiesa closest to Liverpool comeback
Chiesa is the nearest of the injured players to a return. The winger picked up a back problem against Como in the final pre-season friendly in August and has yet to feature this season.
Photo: IMAGO
There is now a realistic chance he returns to team training before the international break later this month. If that happens, Liverpool could have him available for Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday October 11. That would be timely, because Iraola needs depth and directness in wide areas.
Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni updates
Bradley has been out since the start of the year after suffering a serious knee injury at Arsenal. Liverpool reacted in the market by bringing in Ronald Araujo on loan to cover at right-back, which tells you everything about the scale of the problem. Bradley’s likely return date is November 2026.
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Leoni’s case has been even crueller. The Italian defender tore his ACL on his debut against Southampton and missed all of last season. He is finally expected back in training during the next international break, with October 2026 the current target for match action. Liverpool need bodies back. Slowly, they are getting them.
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