Europa League

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Europa League | Group Stage

Oct 26, 2023 at 8pm UK

Anfield

Liverpool
5 - 1
Toulouse

Jota (9'), Endo (30'), Nunez (34'), Gravenberch (65'), Salah (90+3')
Elliott (75')

FT(HT: 3-1)

Dallinga (16')

Cody Gakpo available to face Toulouse, Andrew Robertson undergoes surgery

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 25 October 2023

Gakpo available to face Toulouse, Robertson undergoes surgery

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp reveals that Cody Gakpo is in contention to return from injury during Thursday's Europa League match against Toulouse.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that Cody Gakpo will be available to face Toulouse in their Europa League Group E clash on Thursday.

Gakpo has not featured since sustaining an injury while scoring against Tottenham Hotspur on September 30, missing Liverpool's last three games in all competitions.

However, the Dutchman has been back in full training all week and will be in contention to feature in Thursday's game at Anfield.

Liverpool will still be without Andrew Robertson though, with the full-back expected to spend an extended period on the sidelines after injuring his shoulder during the international break with Scotland.

Klopp confirmed that Robertson has now undergone surgery on the issue and that the operation was a success, although there is still no timeframe on his possible return.

Scotland's Andy Robertson walks off the pitch after sustaining an injury on October 12, 2023 © Reuters

"Robbo had surgery and [it] all went well, as good as it could be, so the recovery starts after he wakes up," the Liverpool boss told reporters at his pre-match press conference.

"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."

Thiago Alcantara and Stefan Bajcetic remain absent through injury for the Merseysiders, who have won both of their Europa League group games so far this season.

Klopp was also asked about the form of Darwin Nunez, who started the weekend win over Everton on the bench, and insisted that he is "very happy" with the Uruguayan striker, despite him being in and out of the team so far this term.

"He's just in a really good moment. Darwin is in a really good moment. Yes, there was some time necessary to adapt to everything: new country, new language, new team, all these kinds of things. That's long gone. He is in middle of the team, everybody is really happy with him, I'm very happy with him," Klopp added.

"We had to make a decision before the [Everton] game who of the two will start, is it Lucho [Diaz] or Darwin? Darwin had a little bit cramps at the end of the international game, so we thought, OK, maybe we start Lucho. Spoke to both, both took it.

"Lucho's job was to create, prepare, do what you can do to cause as much trouble as possible, and Darwin comes on and kills the game off – that was the idea and that worked out really, really well.

"But you could see it was really intense for him, even if it was 20-odd minutes. It was really intense, so it was the right decision to do how we did. It's always tough for the boys to have these kind of travels before the games. But now he is fine for this game, I would say, and for the next game. That's good.

"And yes, I think he is really happy in the moment, we are really happy with him. That's what I can see at least on the pitch and on the training ground, and that's really important. Really good moment for him."

Liverpool go into Thursday's contest looking to maintain their 100% record at Anfield so far this season, having won six from six in front of their own fans across all competitions in 2023-24.