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Cody Gakpo injury update after Liverpool star misses Atletico Madrid clash
Sep 09 2026 20:48 · By Ben Fleming · 18 Reads
Cody Gakpo has made a fast start this season (Picture: AP)
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.
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.’
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.
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.