Liverpool’s Newcastle game did more than rescue a point in the 2-2 draw. It also left the club with another early-season fitness question, with Federico Chiesa missing the trip because of a fitness issue and now a doubt for the August 29 home meeting with Nottingham Forest.
That matters because Liverpool are already managing several injuries at the start of the new campaign. Hugo Ekitike has been out since April after rupturing his Achilles against Paris Saint-Germain, while Joe Gomez also remains in the frame as another player whose availability is being watched closely.
Chiesa’s absence is the latest concern
Chiesa sat out training earlier in the week, which explained why he was not involved at St James’ Park. Liverpool still found a late route back into the match, but the bigger picture is that their attacking options are already being stretched before the season has properly settled.
For a player whose pace and movement can change the shape of Liverpool’s attack, any fitness doubt naturally draws attention. The Nottingham Forest fixture was listed as a possible return date, but at this stage it is better viewed as a target than a guarantee.
Joe Gomez’s timeline still needs monitoring
Gomez’s setback came on July 25 in Liverpool’s pre-season win over Sunderland, and Andoni Iraola has already indicated the defender may need around a month. He said Joe has a muscle injury, that the problem was clear from the moment he complained, and that muscle injuries are always difficult to judge precisely from day to day.
Iraola added that he would normally put the recovery at one month, though he stressed that the exact timeline depends on how the injury evolves. In other words, Liverpool are still waiting for a firmer picture before they can count on Gomez for regular Premier League action.
What Liverpool can take from the first test
The encouraging part for Liverpool is that they showed they can still find a result even when conditions are far from ideal. The concern is that the squad is already carrying enough early-season uncertainty to make the next few days important.
With Nottingham Forest next on the calendar, Liverpool’s first home game of the campaign now feels like an early check on depth as much as form. If Chiesa is ready, it gives the manager another useful option. If he is not, the injury list will again shape selection before the season has really found its rhythm.
