The pre-match press conferences for Gameweek 7 start on Thursday, with four Premier League managers set to face the media.
We’ll bring you the key quotes and injury updates from all these pressers in the article below.
KEY GAMEWEEK 7 TEAM NEWS
- Liverpool: Szoboszlai, Gakpo + Isak to be assessed
- Newcastle United: Traore could be available, Elanga latest, Joelinton in contention to start
- Hull City: Mendy out, Jakirovic on Belloumi + Gelhardt
- Coventry City: Awoniyi back from ban, Kesler-Hayden fit
THURSDAY’S PRESS CONFERENCE TIMES
LIVERPOOL
Andoni Iraola couldn’t tell us if Dominik Szoboszlai (hamstring), Cody Gakpo (ankle) and Alexander Isak (quad) will be fit for Saturday’s trip to Brentford.
“It’s early for us to say, we have still tomorrow’s training. Obviously, they were not ready for last night. We have to wait and see. I think it’s still very early but the same way I said they are not available for the previous games, I leave the chance open this time, yes.” – Andoni Iraola
Ryan Gravenberch serves a one-match ban after his dismissal for two bookable offences in Gameweek 6.
Long-term absentees Hugo Ekitike (Achilles), Conor Bradley (knee) and Giovanni Leoni (knee) remain out.
Asked about potential rotation, Iraola said…
“In this period especially, when we are basically playing every three days – almost less than three days – you need more players. That’s why we changed the team a little bit yesterday. We will need to change again at the weekend, we will need to change again when we face Villarreal in another three days. We need everyone, we will need everyone in one moment or the other. Everyone has to be ready because we will need him probably.” – Andoni Iraola
NEWCASTLE UNITED
Matthias Jaissle is hopeful Bazoumana Traore will be fit to face Aston Villa.
The winger had to come off after taking a blow to his knee against Coventry City on Monday.
“Bazo seems to be much better, we’re happy for that. It didn’t look that way during the match. He’s progressing well in the last few days so hopefully he’s able to join the group on Saturday.” – Matthias Jaissle
Anthony Elanga (unknown) remains out, but is set to join training next week.
“Unfortunately, Anthony’s been out for many weeks so now it’s the process to bring him back slowly but surely in a smart way. Hopefully next week he’s about to train again, at least partially, and then we can reintegrate him step by step.” – Matthias Jaissle
Updates were also provided on Tino Livramento (unspecified) and Jacob Ramsey (thigh), as well as Dan Burn and Joelinton, who both returned from injury as substitutes in Gameweek 6.
“With Tino we need to be cautious and we don’t rush him. We know about his injury situation and history but we’re optimistic in the next few weeks we can bring him back step by step. With JJ it’s a bit different. He’s making progress. Hopefully next week he can join in partially in training and then we can build it from there.” – Matthias Jaissle
“We need to manage it really carefully. We missed them so much. Joe has had more training compared to Dan and the next steps for both of them is to give them more game time. For Dan it will most likely be too soon to get that starting position already as he’s just trained a couple of times but for Joelinton it could be a bit different.” – Matthias Jaissle
HULL CITY
Nobel Mendy has suffered a groin injury and will be out for a couple of weeks.
“Mendy is out of this game because he felt his groin, so he will be out for two weeks.” – Sergej Jakirovic, via Hull Live
Jack Butland (shoulder), Charlie Hughes (groin), Matt Targett (ankle), Darko Gyabi (thigh), Mohamed-Ali Cho (calf), Lucas Gourna-Douath (unknown) and Ilyas Ansah (back) are also out.
Jakirovic was later asked about Mohamed Belloumi, who was benched in Gameweek 6 as a consequence of fatigue following international duty.
“If a player approached you and said, ‘Boss, I am not feeling good, I am a little bit exhausted,’ this is normal because we have other options. We have [Joe] Gelhardt, who scored the goal, which is perfect when you have a lot of quality in that position. Mo came in and also scored, which is great for the team.” – Sergej Jakirovic
Belloumi’s replacement, Joe Gelhardt, who netted the opener against Everton, is still lacking a bit of “rhythm” according to the Hull City boss.
COVENTRY CITY
Taiwo Awoniyi returns to the squad after completing his three-match ban.
Kaine Kesler-Hayden (hamstring) is also available for this match.
“He’s come back sharp, he looks good. He’s still a very valued squad member on and off the pitch.” – Frank Lampard
Luke Woolfenden (knee), Aurele Amenda (calf), Josh Eccles (ankle) and Haji Wright (quad) are still out.
“Josh is not yet – he had a baby girl last week. He’s got a little bit of an issue with his ankle – the calf is fine – so he’s not on the training just yet, we hope so in the next 2-3 weeks to progress.
“And Woolfenden is a little bit longer than that.” – Frank Lampard
