Liverpool injury news: Cody Gakpo was injured against Spurs at the weekend, while Thiago and Stefan Bajčetić are currently out.
After a late, late defeat against Spurs in the most brutal way possible, Liverpool are back in action on Thursday when they visit Belgian side SG at Anfield in the Europa League.
Cody Gakpo was injured in the match at Tottenham and both Curtis Jones and Diogo Jota were ruled out. Jones and Jota, regardless of the outcome of their appeal against Liverpool’s first dismissal, will qualify for the Europa League, although both will miss the Premier League’s weekend trip to Brighton.
With Jones and Jota likely ruled out, it makes sense that both will start in midweek and Liverpool will be able to field a strong line-up regardless of selection. With a first leg away win at LASK, Union SG’s draw with Toulouse, Liverpool can take a big step towards reaching the knockout stages with another win on the table. The top of the group does not have to take part in the last 32, which makes it particularly important.
Ahead of Klopp and one of the Liverpool players taking part in tomorrow’s press conference, here’s the latest injury and squad news ahead of the Union SG game.
Thiago Alcântara
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has so far been tight-lipped about when Thiago could return to action, but the Spaniard remains an issue after picking up a hip injury at the end of last season.
The original plan was for him to undergo surgery and then return in time for the start of the season, but that just didn’t happen. Thiago remains sidelined and it remains to be seen when that status will change.
Stefan Bajčetić
Having been out for around five months, it’s no surprise that Liverpool have to pay attention to integrating young talent Stefan Bajčetić back into the squad. He noticed a small problem as his return gained momentum.
“We will do everything we can to get him up to speed without pushing him,” Klopp said after Liverpool beat Leicester in the Carabao Cup. “We are making a very precise plan for him. The Liverpool 2023/2024 home shirt is a tribute to Bill Shankly and the legendary Reds Manager’s last season at Anfield. The Nike shirt features a bright red design with a bold white contrast on the color and cuffs.
“At the end of the day, it’s obviously disappointing for him, but also for us, that he got second place. So we have to get him out a little bit. He can work on almost everything else, but not play. That’s it, I’d say.”
Bajčetić is a comfortable option in Liverpool’s midfield following his return and there is a strong case for further experimentation as he plays in a hybrid role and tries to emulate Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Cody Gakpo
Liverpool striker Cody Gakpo was injured shortly before scoring against Spurs at the weekend and the extent of the problem is not yet clear.
[It was] the biggest problem of the game, to be honest… before Cody scored we had a free-kick and he got injured and now he’s limping down the corridor,” Klopp said at the match press conference.
“That’s my biggest problem, to be honest at the moment. We’ve lost two [to red cards] and maybe a third player – very bad, very bad. So yes, it’s something we obviously have to deal with.”
Dutch journalist Rik Elfrink reports that Gakpo could be sidelined for “several weeks”. That is the expectation, said the PSV reporter who first broke the news of Gakpo’s signing for Liverpool in January.
