Cody Gakpo injury update after Liverpool star misses Atletico Madrid clash
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| Sports reporter Published September 9, 2026 7:33pm Updated September 9, 2026 7:33pm Cody Gakpo has made a fast start this season (Picture: AP) Andoni Iraola confirmed Cody Gakpo has missed Liverpool’s opening Champions League fixture with Atletico Madrid due to an adductor problem. Gakpo has made a fast start to the Premier League season under his new boss, with a goal and three assists in his first three matches.
However, Gakpo was not pictured in training on Tuesday and has now missed out on the matchday squad for the visit of Atletico. Asked about Gakpo’s injury pre-match, Iraola told TNT Sports: ‘Yes Cody finished the game the other day against Ipswich with some adductor issues. ‘Both sides, nothing specific and not a proper injury but we didn’t want risk him. ‘I think it makes sense to take a rest and I hope we can recover him for the next one but I think even for the weekend he has a chance to be there.’ Gakpo picked up an injury against Ipswich Town (Picture: EPA) Bradley Barcola, signed from Paris Saint-Germain for £123million, comes in to replace Gakpo for his first Liverpool start.
Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid starting line-ups Liverpool starting XI: Alisson; Araujo, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Wirtz; Ngumoha, Isak, Barcola Liverpool subs: Mamardashvili, Woodman, Tsimikas, Munoz, Frimpong, Gravenberch, Nyoni, Chambers, McConnell, Koumas, Danns. On the decision to start Barcola, Iraola added: ‘It’s true that he hasn’t had the pre-season minutes but I liked what I saw from him the other day [against Ipswich] for 30 minutes. ‘He’s been training well so I think it was a good game to put him in straight away. ‘Now I don’t think he can probably finish the game, we’ll see how he does, but we need some freshness and I think especially outside with Rio [Ngumoha] and Bradley, I think we can find these difference makers.’ Liverpool face a quick turnaround after Wednesday’s match, hosting Fulham in the league at Anfield on Sunday.