Liverpool handed major boost to address problem position after lacklustre Deadline Day

Liverpool fans may finally be able to relax about their lack of defensive options after Andoni Iraola's latest press conference.

The 2026/27 summer transfer window was a bit of a roller coaster for Liverpool as the club prepared for their first season without a number of key figures.

Alongside the sacking of former manager Arne Slot, and subsequent appointment of Iraola, Liverpool lost big players like Mohamed Salah, Ibrahima Konate and Andrew Robertson for free over the summer.

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Why Joe Gomez's return could be vital for Liverpool

With that in mind, it came as a disappointment when the right-back position, one that Liverpool fans are particularly concerned about, wasn't addressed.

First-choice Conor Bradley is currently out with a long-term injury while Jeremie Frimpong continues to put in disappointing performances, leaving Liverpool a bit light on the right side of their defence.

But the Reds finally may have some good news about what is arguably the biggest hole in their squad, as Iraola has confirmed that veteran defender Joe Gomez is set to return to training ahead of a return far sooner than expected.

“The closest one is Joe,” Iraola told a press conference on Thursday.

“He will probably start training with us next week. I hope we can have him before the [international] break.”

Although he has spent the majority of his Liverpool career playing centre-back, but also has filled in at right-back on several occasions in recent seasons.

It therefore stands to reason that Gomez could step in either to help provide relief for Frimpong during 'easier' fixtures or even replace him in the starting lineup should Iraola favour him.

Crucially, this would also allow Iraola to keep using star player Dominik Szoboszlai, who played right-back towards the end of last weekend's 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest, in midfield, despite the Liverpool boss telling media that he's happy to use his players wherever needed.

“I haven't found any situation where a player has said he doesn't want to play in a position," Iraola added.

"We have discussions but everyone wants to help. If we have to play Dom as a right winger, as a right-back or a midfielder, he wants to help the team first!

“We have some injuries now and we need the versatility of the players, players like Dom. Even in the game they have to change positions.”

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Andoni Iraola provides injury updates on Conor Bradley, Hugo Ekitike and Giovanni Leoni

Unfortunately, the injury news wasn't quite so good for for Conor Bradley and Hugo Ekitike's returns, as the Liverpool manager confirmed that the pair’s comebacks will be “later”.

Bradley has been out since suffering a serious knee injury at Arsenal back in January and has since undergone surgery, while Ekitike has been out since April after rupturing his Achilles tendon.

But it wasn't all bad news, as Iraola is expecting Giovanni Leoni, who rupturing his ACL on his debut for Liverpool 12 months ago, and Federico Chiesa to return shortly after Gomez.

“I think the next one should probably be Giovanni Leoni, I think the plan is to start training in the break with the group,” Iraola revealed.

“I think Fede should be around those days.”

Liverpool face Ipswich Town, Atletico Madrid, Fulham, Tottenham Hotspur and Bournemouth ahead of the international break at the end of this month.