Klopp gets injury boost as Liverpool boss plans changes for Europa League clash
Jurgen Klopp could welcome Cody Gakpo back into the fold when Liverpool host Toulouse in the Europa League on Thursday night.
Gakpo has been sidelined with a knee injury since the Reds' controversial defeat against Tottenham last month but is back in full training and in contention to feature against the Ligue 1 outfit at Anfield. The Dutch forward's return will be a boost for Klopp, who has seen his side make an encouraging start to the season.
The prognosis on Andy Robertson, however, is not quite so positive. The left-back, who dislocated his shoulder while playing for Scotland during the recent international break, underwent surgery on Wednesday and is now set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Speaking on Wednesday, Klopp told reporters: “Robbo had surgery and all went well, as good as it could be, so the recovery starts after he wakes up. I think it happened this morning. That’s it. We don’t know how long it will take or whatever, but the first step is done, that’s good.
“Cody is in full training now since Sunday, which means he is available for the squad. Whatever we do with that we will have to see, but that’s good as well.”
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Gakpo had made a positive start to the season before injuring himself prior to scoring against Spurs, notching three goals in eight games for the Reds. If he does feature against Toulouse, it would mark his first appearance in Europe this term.
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Cody Gakpo is back in training and could feature for Liverpool against Toulouse on Thursday night (Liverpool FC via Getty Images)After winning both of their previous games in Group E, Liverpool know that another positive result against Toulouse would put them in a commanding position ahead of the return fixtures against LASK and Union Saint-Gilloise.
Klopp is planning to shuffle his pack, though, for the visit of the French outfit after a taxing Merseyside derby at the weekend. The Reds face Nottingham Forest on Sunday in the Premier League, where they sit just three points and three places off the summit.
Klopp added: “We want to win football games and this is the next opportunity. [A win] would bring us to nine points with Toulouse on four, but knowing that changes nothing. We have to play our best. We will make a few changes but not too much.
“The boys have shown they are really ready for the competition. That’s what I wanted to see. We hope to go a long, long, long way in this competition, but for that we have to make all the decisive steps and tomorrow is another big one.”
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