The World Cup star is in contention to make his Liverpool debut in Saturday night’s FA Cup third round tie at home to Wolves, and he trained with his new teammates on Thursday.
Liverpool find themselves back at square one again, but at least this time they’ve arrived there with Cody Gakpo in tow
The Dutchman was training with his new Reds teammates at the club’s AXA Training Centre in Kirkby on Thursday, and is set to go straight into the action in the FA Cup third round at home to Wolves this weekend.
Gakpo would have gone into the squad for Monday evening’s trip to Brentford were it not for registration red tape, and while that defeat has punctured the optimism gained from back-to-back Premier League wins, the FA Cup could offer some solace.
Jurgen Klopp used to face criticism from interested quarters over apparently paying little attention to domestic cups, but after winning both last season during a campaign that Liverpool took to the limit, the FA Cup is again offering up an interesting possibility.
Having slipped so damagingly at Brentford, the Wolves tie comes five days later and with a week to prepare for the next league game, a tricky trip to Brighton.
Indeed, the focus can switch to the other dugout when it comes to team selection as visiting boss Julen Lopetegui may already be reaching for the white flag if his comments are anything to go by, with the Spaniard hitting out after Wednesday’s draw at Aston Villa.
“I don’t understand how we play in one competition with two days less than the opponent,” he said.
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.
Gakpo could join Mo Salah in the starting XI for Wolves (
Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
“I am sorry but I don’t understand this. I don’t know why. We have five games in 15 days.”
As Wolves battle at the bottom and probably retain little interest in a cup run, their new manager is likely to ring the changes and have a look at some players he hasn’t yet had the chance to see.
