{
  "id": 6561988,
  "title": "Iraola allays Barcola injury fears",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/10/iraola-allays-barcola-injury-fears",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-10T08:23:56.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/iraola-allays-barcola-injury-fears-082356943.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Andoni Iraola, the new manager of Liverpool, quelled concerns over Bradley Barcola's fitness after the young Spanish forward was substituted during the Champions League match against Atletico Madrid. The 24-year-old Barcola left the pitch holding his left calf just 60 minutes into the game at Anfield. However, Iraola remained confident about Barcola's potential to contribute to the team. He explained that the new signing needs to build his physical condition, as he had limited pre-season minutes with Paris St-Germain. Barcola had played only 30 minutes in a recent game, raising questions about his availability for the match. Iraola stressed his satisfaction with Barcola's performance, noting that the forward had two clear chances to score, even if he didn't convert them. The manager also addressed Cody Gakpo's fitness, revealing that the 27-year-old forward is dealing with adductor issues and has a 50-50 chance of being available for the upcoming match against Fulham at Anfield. Iraola emphasized that while Gakpo's injury isn't severe, it complicates matters as Liverpool faces the same opponent again in two and a half days.",
  "summary": "\"It is just cramp, there is no injury,\" Andoni Iraola insisted after £123m summer signing Bradley Barcola was forced off during Liverpool's 2-1 victory over Atletico Madrid in the Champions League. The 24-year-old went off the pitch holding his left calf 60 minutes into the encounter at Anfield, but his new head coach didn't seem too worried about his fitness post-match. \"It is about building his…",
  "key_points": [
    "Manager Iraola reassures Barcola's fitness after substitution.",
    "24-year-old Barcola injured his left calf in 60 minutes.",
    "Cody Gakpo's adductor issue complicates Liverpool's schedule."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Iraola's reassurance about Barcola's fitness suggests the young forward's contribution to Liverpool's upcoming matches is unlikely to be severely impacted by his calf issue.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}