Cody Gakpo is a doubt for Liverpool's Champions League clash against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday after missing training, but Joe Gomez is back in contention after six weeks out
Cody Gakpo is an injury doubt for Wednesday's game
Cody Gakpo is an injury doubt for Wednesday's game(Image: Getty Images)
Cody Gakpo faces significant uncertainty over his availability for Liverpool's Champions League encounter with Atletico Madrid on Wednesday following his absence from training.
However, Joe Gomez has returned to the frame after spending six weeks recovering from a muscle injury. Gakpo has emerged as Liverpool's most impressive player during the early stages of new head coach Andoni Iraola's tenure, contributing one goal and three assists across the opening three Premier League fixtures.
The Dutch international, however, has reported muscular tightness and did not participate in Tuesday afternoon's session. Gakpo's potential unavailability heightens the likelihood that new acquisition Bradley Barcola will earn his maiden Liverpool start, having made his debut as a substitute at Ipswich last Friday.
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Meanwhile, Gomez has been sidelined since sustaining an injury during the preseason friendly against Sunderland in July.
Young trio Lewis Koumas, Luke Chambers and James McConnell were among the squad preparing for the Atletico fixture.
Wataru Endo was also present at training despite being omitted from the Champions League squad for the league phase.
Gakpo picked up a knock against Ipswich
Gakpo picked up a knock against Ipswich(Image: Getty Images)
Federico Chiesa, though, remains unavailable due to a back complaint and is similarly excluded from Liverpool's Champions League squad.
Iraola wasn't asked about Gakpo's fitness during his pre-match press conference, but he did comment on the pressure of playing up to three games per week.
The Reds boss said: "This is going to be a challenge. I hope through the season, as that means we are in the competitions.
"This week won't be that bad, as we didn't play til Friday. Next week will be more difficult.
"I will have to get used to it, and definitely you have it in mind when you pick the team the next games.
"I will not tell you if I plan to rotate! Still, my players don't know the line-up, so I won't tell you. But I have to consider — we have more games and where we are physically."
Iraola also gave an update on Barcola's fitness. The Frenchman barely featured for Paris Saint-Germain during preseason before making his high-profile transfer to Merseyside.
Iraola said: "He (Barcola) is ready to play more minutes. He has been training quite normally. Only thing he hasn't had preseason (games). But he is in a really good place."