Liverpool kicked off their Champions League journey with a wild 2-1 thriller against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday, and what a game it was! Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister bagged the goals, bringing home three crucial points from the league phase. But there was one huge question mark hanging over Anfield: where was Cody Gakpo? He was left out of the lineup due to injury, and yeah, that sent a jolt of worry through the faithful. The good news? According to a recent report, it is not much to worry about for the Dutchman.
The Scare Was Real, The Relief Is Palpable
When the lineup dropped for that Champions League opener, seeing Gakpo’s name missing definitely made you pause. Manager Andoni Iraola has since cleared things up, explaining Gakpo was sat out as a precautionary measure. He is expected to be back on the pitch as early as this weekend’s match against Fulham. Turns out, the injury was not something new from warm-ups or training; he picked up “some adductor issues” last weekend during their game against Ipswich Town. That is a massive sigh of relief, right? No long-term worries, just smart management.
Why Gakpo Is So Vital For Liverpool
This quick return is huge for the Red side of Merseyside because Gakpo has been absolutely pivotal so far. The 27-year-old is making a strong case for being Liverpool’s best player out of the gate this season. He has already found the back of the net three separate times in the opening three Premier League games, plus he added a lone assist. Last season, he had 12 goal involvements in the English top flight. With Mo Salah gone, Gakpo is stepping up big time, expected to play a much larger part in Liverpool’s attacking plans and build on that impressive form. He is proving he is a pivotal piece in this new system.
So, get ready! With the update saying he could be back for Fulham this weekend, all eyes will be on the lineup. It is going to be electric to see him back on the field, continuing to be that difference-maker Liverpool needs.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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