Barcelona squad for Valencia: Gavi returns as Livakovic and Gabriel Jesus earn first call-ups

Barcelona travel to Mestalla on Sunday for their matchday 4 LaLiga meeting with Valencia carrying a squad full of fresh faces. Hansi Flick has brought Gavi back into the fold after the midfielder shook off the knock he picked up in Elche, while Croatian goalkeeper Livakovic and Brazilian forward Gabriel Jesus have been included in a matchday list for the first time. Lamine Yamal also makes the trip despite not training on Saturday morning because of a blow.

• Gavi returns to the squad after recovering from the knock suffered in Elche that ruled him out against Athletic Club and Rayo.
• Livakovic is called up for the first time as a Barcelona player and will be the backup to Joan García.
• Gabriel Jesus also earns his first matchday inclusion and could make his debut at Mestalla.
• Lamine Yamal travels to Valencia even though he sat out Saturday's session with a knock.
• De Jong and Roony is a duo of injury absentees Barcelona currently cannot count on.

Gavi returns to the Barcelona squad after his Elche injury

The standout news in midfield is the return of Gavi. The Spain international missed the fixtures against Athletic Club and Rayo Vallecano after picking up a knock in Elche, and he is now fully available for the German coach. His comeback gives Flick extra depth in the middle of the pitch, where Pedri, Olmo, Fermín, Bernal, Rodri and the young Fariñas are also included.

Livakovic and Gabriel Jesus receive their first Barcelona call-ups

The Valencia trip brings two firsts on an official team sheet. Livakovic, the experienced Croatian goalkeeper signed this season, will serve as the number two behind Joan García, with Szczesny completing the goalkeeping trio. Flick had already made clear in his pre-match press conference that the shot-stopper would be registered with the first team and would act as a reliable alternative to the starter.

Up front, Gabriel Jesus has been named in a Barcelona squad for the first time. The Brazilian forward, one of the summer additions, looks set to make his debut at Mestalla and could earn his first minutes in the famous shirt. Flick has included him in a broad attacking group that also features Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, Adeyemi, Gordon and Hamza.

Lamine Yamal still travels to Mestalla despite missing training

The winger did not take part in Saturday's session because of a knock, but neither the club nor the coaching staff consider the issue serious enough to rule him out of Sunday's game. His place in the squad allows Flick to keep him as an attacking option, although it remains to be seen whether he starts at Mestalla or begins the match on the bench.

De Jong and Roony are Barcelona's injury absentees for Valencia

De Jong and Roony make up the injury list Barcelona are dealing with ahead of the matchday 4 fixture. Neither player has recovered in time for the trip to Mestalla, forcing Flick to adjust his rotation plans, especially in midfield and out wide. The depth provided by the new arrivals should help the German coach cover those losses without weakening the side.

Barcelona's full squad list against Valencia

The 25-man squad travelling to Valencia on Saturday is as follows:

• Goalkeepers: Joan García, Szczesny and Livakovic.
• Defenders: Cancelo, Cubarsí, Christensen, Balde, Gerard Martín, Koundé, Eric García and Xavi Espart.
• Midfielders: Gavi, Rodri, Fermín, Pedri, Olmo, Bernal and Fariñas.
• Forwards: Gabriel Jesus, Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, Adeyemi, Gordon and Hamza.

What is at stake for Barcelona at Mestalla against Valencia

Barcelona head into Sunday's game looking to maintain their strong start to the campaign and take another three points in one of the toughest away trips on the calendar. Mestalla always puts pressure on visiting teams, and Valencia are desperate for points in front of their own fans, making this a serious test of how reliable Flick's side can be away from the Camp Nou. The newly available signings and Gavi's return give the coach more resources for a team aiming to keep pace with the early league leaders.