Cody Gakpo and Joe Gomez Fitness Updates as Liverpool Face Crucial Week | OneFootball

Liverpool Injury Concerns Mount Ahead of Key Fixtures

Liverpool’s pursuit of their first Premier League title since 2020 remains on track, but injuries continue to threaten their momentum. A hard-fought 2-1 victory over Wolves at Anfield saw Arne Slot’s side extend their lead at the summit, but with a gruelling fixture list ahead, fitness concerns loom large.

Squad Depth Tested in Critical Period

It was far from a vintage performance against relegation-battling Wolves, yet Liverpool ground out a result that will prove invaluable in the title race. The match followed a bruising FA Cup exit to Plymouth and a tempestuous Merseyside derby win over Everton—games that have left their mark on Slot’s squad.

With Aston Villa up next on Wednesday, followed by clashes against Manchester City and Newcastle, Liverpool’s squad depth will be tested to its limits. The upcoming league fixtures serve as preparation for next month’s Carabao Cup final and another fiery encounter with Everton.

Curtis Jones is set to return from suspension against Villa, but question marks remain over whether Slot or assistant Sipke Hulshoff will be in the dugout. Both face FA sanctions following their post-match red cards in the Goodison Park showdown, with a decision expected by Wednesday.

Cody Gakpo’s Fitness Under Scrutiny

Liverpool were dealt an untimely setback when Cody Gakpo was forced off in the latter stages of the Everton clash. The Dutch forward was subsequently absent from training and omitted from the squad for the Wolves encounter.

Photo: IMAGO

Slot provided an update on his condition, saying: “Cody didn’t have a yellow card or whatever! He got a knock in the Everton game. A few of us got a knock but he got an injury from that.”

Asked about Gakpo’s availability for the Villa game, Slot remained uncertain: “Under debate. It’s fast, Wednesday already, so let’s wait and see. It wasn’t a soft knock then!”

While his 16 goals in 36 appearances this season highlight his importance, his status for Villa Park remains doubtful. Diogo Jota stepped in against Wolves, making his first league start since October, while Darwin Nunez was relegated to the bench. Whether Gakpo returns in time for the trip to Manchester City on Sunday is still unclear.

Concerns Over Joe Gomez’s Hamstring Woes

Joe Gomez’s return from a hamstring injury proved to be short-lived. Having missed all of January, the England international started against Plymouth in the FA Cup, only to be substituted after just 10 minutes.

Photo: IMAGO

Slot voiced concerns that the injury was to the same leg, and subsequent reports confirmed fresh hamstring trouble. Liverpool are assessing the severity of the issue, with fears that Gomez could face another extended spell on the sidelines. As it stands, his return date remains uncertain, and he is almost certainly ruled out of the upcoming fixtures.

Tyler Morton’s Season Potentially Over

Midfielder Tyler Morton has featured sporadically this season, appearing against Accrington Stanley and PSV Eindhoven in cup competitions. However, his campaign now looks to be over after undergoing surgery on a persistent shoulder injury sustained against Southampton in December.

Photo: IMAGO

Reports suggest Morton faces a three-month layoff, ruling him out until May. While not a key first-team figure, his absence further reduces Liverpool’s midfield options during a congested period of the season.

A Defining Stretch for Slot’s Liverpool

With the fixtures coming thick and fast, Liverpool’s ability to manage injuries could be decisive. Gakpo’s availability remains in doubt, Gomez’s condition is concerning, and Morton’s season appears all but over. Slot’s squad depth will be tested as they navigate a defining stretch of the campaign, with their title aspirations hanging in the balance.