Liverpool's European Campaign Starts with Victory but Gakpo's Absence Raises Concerns
Liverpool’s new European campaign began with a win – and an unwelcome jolt.
Cody Gakpo, the early heartbeat of Iraola’s attack this season, was nowhere to be seen as Liverpool edged past Atletico 2–1 in their Champions League league-phase opener. Not on the bench, not in the warm-up. Simply out.
Only later did the picture sharpen. Gakpo had skipped Tuesday’s key training session, and Iraola confirmed the forward is nursing niggles in both adductors after his previous 90-minute outing. It is not being treated as a serious, long-term problem, but the discomfort was sharp enough to keep him out of a marquee European night entirely.
For a manager trying to build rhythm with a new-look side, the timing could hardly be worse.
Iraola’s balancing act
Iraola did not dress it up. Asked about Gakpo’s chances of returning for the looming clash with Fulham, he offered hope but no promises.
"I don't know [if he will be back for Fulham]. I hope so, but I don't know. He doesn't have a proper injury, but he finished with niggles in both of the adductors the other day," he told the club’s official website.
Liverpool had planned on having him available for Atletico. The plan collapsed late.
"We expected to have him for today, [but] it hasn't been possible. It's not a big thing, but the problem is we play here [again] in two days and a half."
That tight turnaround is the real enemy. The medical staff do not see structural damage, yet the schedule offers almost no breathing space. Rest, reassess, roll the dice – all in the space of a couple of days.
A flying start abruptly stalled
The frustration is amplified by Gakpo’s form. Under his new manager, he has exploded out of the blocks: one goal and three assists in his first three matches of the season, driving Liverpool’s attacking play with sharp movement and precise final balls.
On Friday night he went the distance, playing the full 90 minutes and running the show in a controlled 2–0 win over Ipswich Town. In that game, he teed up Alexander Isak twice, stitching together Liverpool’s best moves and underlining exactly why Iraola wants him on the pitch as often as possible.
That performance now feels like a turning point. From being the man who could not be left out, Gakpo suddenly became the one Liverpool had to protect.
Recovery race before Fulham
The Atletico victory came at a cost across the squad. Iraola spoke openly about the physical toll and the need to squeeze every drop out of a short recovery window.
"I think now is a moment of recovery in these two days. Let's see how Bradley has finished, how Cody is [and] if he can give us some minutes. If not, Rio, Victor, I think today everyone has done a big effort."
He knows the equation is simple: manage minutes now or risk losing key players for much longer.
"We need to recover, we need to regroup and think because in two days and a half we play again here [against] Fulham, it's a very important game again for us. So, I hope we can have Cody with us, but I cannot guarantee it."
So Liverpool move on from a hard-fought European win with a familiar modern dilemma. Push a star who is flying but sore? Or trust the depth, hold their nerve, and hope the early-season surge does not stall without one of its main architects?
