Liverpool take on Wolves in the third round of the FA Cup at Anfield on Saturday – with new £45million signing Cody Gakpo expected to make his debut in front of the Kop
Liverpool had an evening to forget on Monday, as they were humbled 3-1 at Brentford.
Jurgen Klopp’s side are now seven points behind Manchester United in fourth and must put a superb run together if they’re to qualify for the Champions League. Yet it’s hoped that Cody Gakpo – their new £45million signing – could spark their campaign into life.
Gakpo, 23, was ineligible to face Brentford but is set to make his debut in the FA Cup tie against Wolves at Anfield on Saturday afternoon. He’s been training with his team-mates this week and Mirror Football noticed a few things from Thursday’s session.
1. New signing raring to go
Cody Gakpo is set to make his debut against Wolves ( Image: Getty Images)
Gakpo was right in the thick of Liverpool’s most recent training session and seems eager to make his debut against Wolves. He has been in blistering form this season – scoring 13 goals for previous club PSV Eindhoven – and would love to continue in that vein.
World Cup fans will remember the Netherlands international’s exploits in Qatar, when he scored three goals to inspire his country to the quarter-finals. That sent his transfer value through the roof and the Reds were fortunate to get him for an initial £37m.
“I’m really looking forward to that,” Gakpo told Liverpool’s website when asked about the prospect of playing at Anfield. “I heard a lot of great stories about the stadium, about the atmosphere. I cannot wait.”
2. Gakpo looking to assist Nunez
Darwin Nunez will be hoping Gakpo can assist him ( Image: Getty Images)
It’s fair to say Darwin Nunez is still trying to prove his critics wrong since his £85m move from Benfica last summer. The Uruguay international, 23, has scored nine goals for Liverpool but has been criticised for wasting several opportunities in front of goal.
Yet Gakpo could be the perfect player to help Nunez, who scored 34 goals last season, find his scoring touch. The Dutchman is hoping to be Liverpool’s assist king after providing 12 for PSV in the Eredivisie this term. In comparison, no Reds player has managed more than five assists in the Premier League. That side of Gakpo’s game could be the difference.
Gakpo will also be keen to assist Mohamed Salah, Liverpool’s undisputed talisman. In his interview with the club’s website, he added: “He [Salah] is a fantastic player and I’m really looking forward to learning things from him and to see how he does things so I can also improve my game and that we can win a lot of games together.”
3. Phillips could get the nod
Nat Phillips may get some more minutes following Virgil van Dijk’s injury ( Image: Getty Images)
Nat Phillips was spotted in training and could be involved against Wolves following Virgil van Dijk’s injury. The Netherlands captain, 31, picked up a hamstring complaint during the defeat at Brentford and will see a specialist to assess the extent of the issue.
That leaves Klopp short of a defender and he may ask Phillips, 25, to step up to the plate. The centre-back, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Bournemouth, is now expected to stay at Liverpool in January to offer cover for Van Dijk.
Phillips would’ve been keen for a mid-season transfer, but not anymore. He covered for Van Dijk during the 2020/21 campaign – playing 17 Premier League games to help them salvage a third-placed finish. Funnily enough, Klopp’s side are in a similar situation again.
4. Henderson back in training
Jordan Henderson is fit again ( Image: Getty Images)
There were some doubts over the fitness of Jordan Henderson after he missed the Brentford defeat with a concussion. Yet the Liverpool skipper was involved in training on Thursday and should be available for their upcoming cup tie.
“Hendo has a concussion, [it’s] normal procedure,” Klopp told Sky Sports before Monday night’s game. “It’s not massive but we always follow the protocols.
“The next day we did a test and it was not 100 per cent, so we follow the protocol. He will be ready for the next game again but not for this.”
5. Youngsters ready to step up
Ben Doak, Bobby Clark and Luke Chambers could get the nod on Saturday afternoon ( Image: Getty Images)
With Van Dijk, Luis Diaz, Arthur Melo, Diogo Jota, Roberto Firmino and James Milner all set to miss Saturday afternoon’s game, Klopp will need some of his youngsters to step up. Ben Doak, Bobby Clark and Luke Chambers were all spotted in Thursday’s training session.
Klopp has a reputation for playing the kids in the FA Cup. Conor Bradley, Elijah Dixon-Bonner, Tyler Morton, Kaide Gordon and Max Woltman all started their 4-1 home win against Shrewsbury in last season’s third round on their way to eventually lifting the trophy.
Klopp will be keen to give the likes of Doak and Clark a chance against Wolves, especially considering Wolves’ perilous position in the Premier League. Julen Lopetegui’s side are 19th in the table and may rest players in the FA Cup to prioritise their league campaign.
Lopetegui moaned after Wolves’ 1-1 draw against Aston Villa on Wednesday night: “I don’t understand how we play in one competition with two days less than the opponent. Maybe one day, it can happen but two days, it is a lot.
“It is a big difference for us. They have two days recovery more. I am sorry but I don’t understand this. I don’t know why. We have five games in 15 days.”
Source: Mirror.co.uk
