Liverpool's Cody Gakpo in action during the English Premier League soccer match between Ipswich Town and Liverpool in Ipswich, England, Friday, Sept. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Dave Shopland)
Liverpool's Cody Gakpo in action during the English Premier League soccer match between Ipswich Town and Liverpool in Ipswich, England, Friday, Sept. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Dave Shopland)
Andoni Iraola confirmed Cody Gakpo has missed Liverpool’s opening Champions League fixture with Atletico Madrid due to an adductor problem.
Gakpo has made a fast start to the Premier League season under his new boss, with a goal and three assists in his first three matches.
The Dutch forward played the full 90 minutes on Friday night and set up Alexander Isak twice as the Reds claimed a comfortable 2-0 win over Ipswich Town.
However, Gakpo was not pictured in training on Tuesday and has now missed out on the matchday squad for the visit of Atletico.
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Asked about Gakpo’s injury pre-match, Iraola told TNT Sports: ‘Yes Cody finished the game the other day against Ipswich with some adductor issues.
‘Both sides, nothing specific and not a proper injury but we didn’t want to risk him.
‘I think it makes sense to take a rest and I hope we can recover him for the next one but I think even for the weekend he has a chance to be there.’
epa13212770 Cody Gakpo of Liverpool reacts after being brought down during the English Premier League match Ipswich Town against Liverpool FC, in Ipswich, Britain, 04 September 2026. EPA/NEIL HALL EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos, 'live' services or NFTs. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.
Gakpo picked up an injury against Ipswich Town (Picture: EPA)
Bradley Barcola, signed from Paris Saint-Germain for £123million, comes in to replace Gakpo for his first Liverpool start.
Elsewhere, Victor Munoz is dropped to the bench, with Rio Ngumoha instead starting on the right wing.
Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid starting line-ups
Liverpool starting XI: Alisson; Araujo, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Wirtz; Ngumoha, Isak, Barcola
Liverpool subs: Mamardashvili, Woodman, Tsimikas, Munoz, Frimpong, Gravenberch, Nyoni, Chambers, McConnell, Koumas, Danns.
Atletico starting XI: Oblak, Llorente, Hancko, Romero, Pubil, Barios, Koke, Simeone, Baena, Alvarez, Lee.
Atletico subs: Musso, Vargas, Mendoza, Cardoso, Lookman, David, Grimaldo, Hjulmand, Le Normand, Dominguez, Martinez, Castillo.
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On the decision to start Barcola, Iraola added: ‘It’s true that he hasn’t had the pre-season minutes but I liked what I saw from him the other day [against Ipswich] for 30 minutes.
‘He’s been training well so I think it was a good game to put him in straight away.
‘Now I don’t think he can probably finish the game, we’ll see how he does, but we need some freshness and I think especially outside with Rio [Ngumoha] and Bradley, I think we can find these difference makers.’
Liverpool face a quick turnaround after Wednesday’s match, hosting Fulham in the league at Anfield on Saturday.
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BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - AUGUST 31: Mikel Arteta, Manager / Head Coach of Arsenal speaks with Assistant Referee, Neil Davies during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Aston Villa FC and Arsenal FC at Villa Park on August 31, 2026 in Birmingham, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - AUGUST 31: Mikel Arteta, Manager / Head Coach of Arsenal speaks with Assistant Referee, Neil Davies during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Aston Villa FC and Arsenal FC at Villa Park on August 31, 2026 in Birmingham, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)