Cody Gakpo injury update issued by Arne Slot ahead of Liverpool vs Man City

Liverpool will make a late call on Cody Gakpo’s fitness as the forward hopes to prove his fitness before Sunday’s Premier League clash with Manchester City. Gakpo picked up a knock in the second half of Liverpool’s dramatic 2-2 draw with Everton just over a week ago.

The forward has since missed Liverpool’s last two games against Wolves and Aston Villa, but remains a doubt for Arne Slot’s side ahead of Sunday’s huge encounter with City at the Etihad Stadium. Asked about whether Gakpo could feature on Sunday, Arne Slot told reporters on Thursday: ‘Let’s see. I hope. I’m not 100 per cent sure.

‘He hasn’t trained with the team yet, maybe he does a bit today I don’t know exactly. It will be a close call.’. Liverpool will definitely be without Joe Gomez who has undergone surgery on his hamstring injury, while Connor Bradley is expected to miss out after picking up an injury on Wednesday at Villa Park.

‘He (Bradley) still has to come in but I would be completely surprised if he is involved in Sunday’s game or Wednesday’s game against Newcastle,’ added Slot. ‘Joe Gomez has had surgery for his hamstring injury so he is out for a long time. He will be back maybe just before the end of the season.’.

Without Gakpo in midweek, Liverpool dropped more points against Villa, with Arsenal now able to cut the gap at the top to just five points when they face West Ham on Saturday. Darwin Nunez stole the headlines with his glaring open-goal miss in the second half and Slot insisted that the Uruguayan must work harder to not let big misses affect him.

‘I can accept every miss, especially from a player that has scored two very important goals against Brentford,’ he said. ‘In the game against Villa, I would prefer him to score, but the word ‘chance’ says it all – it’s a ‘chance. It’s not 100% sure that the ball goes in.

‘But what was a bit harder for me to accept was his behaviour after that chance. And by ‘behaviour’ I mean I think it got too much in his head and he wasn’t the usual Darwin that works his arse off and makes sure he helps the team. ‘I think he was too disappointed after missing that chance.’.

For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Arrow MORE: Chelsea respond to Enzo Maresca sack claims after poor run. Arrow MORE: Chelsea stance on Cole Palmer transfer after Champions League release clause claim.