Liverpool: “Outstanding” Reds star set to be out until Merseyside derby

Liverpool have endured a difficult few days to say the least, and Jurgen Klopp has now learned the extent of an injury setback to one of his key stars.

Who do Liverpool have out injured?
The Reds have made a good start to the season, despite last Saturday’s painful 2-1 defeat away to Tottenham in the Premier League. Everything seemed to go against them in north London, including a scandalous VAR decision against Luis Diaz, and Joel Matip’s late own goal proved costly.

While there is plenty to be positive about at the moment, with a title challenge looking possible, Liverpool do have some injury concerns, as has continually seemed to be the case in recent times. Thiago hasn’t featured at all yet this season, while Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ibrahima Konate have also missed a chunk of action with muscle problems, and Cody Gakpo didn’t make it out for the second half at Spurs over the weekend.

A key update has now emerged regarding one of those Liverpool heroes, however, and it sounds like a few weeks on the sidelines at least.

Which Liverpool player could return for huge game?
According to The Athletic’s James Pearce, Gakpo’s injury is not as serious as first feared, meaning he could now return for the Merseyside derby clash at home to Everton after the international break.

Dutch journalist Rik Elfrink had recently suggested a longer absence could be on the cards, but it appears a return is likely at the end of this month:

“Liverpool attacker Cody Gakpo is set to be sidelined until after the international break. The Netherlands international had to be substituted prior to the second half of Saturday’s contentious 2-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur due to discomfort in his knee and left the stadium wearing a brace.

“A scan has since alleviated fears that he’s facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines, but Gakpo is expected to miss Thursday’s Europa League clash with Union Saint-Gilloise at Anfield and Sunday’s Premier League trip to Brighton.

“If his recovery goes to plan, there’s hope that he will be available after the international break with Liverpool entertaining Everton on October 21.”

Despite the obvious setback, you could see this as good news for Liverpool, with Gakpo’s injury looking like a potentially serious one when he hobbled off at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, making the injury worse when he scored the equaliser just before half-time.

Having been seen in a knee brace after the match, there were worries that the Dutchman could be out for a number of months, let alone weeks, but those fears appear to have been allayed.

Not having Gakpo available for this Sunday’s trip to Brighton will be a big enough blow however, in what represents a real test for Klopp’s men. The 24-year-old is such a clever player, knitting the attack together impressively and linking with the likes of Mohamed Salah and Diaz.

Klopp himself has lauded his attacker as an “outstanding” player, clearly valuing him greatly, and while he may not be as explosive as Darwin Nunez, or as good a finisher as Diego Jota, there is a subtlety to his game that doesn’t always receive the praise it deserves.

Only having him missing for a couple of weeks is decent news, but next weekend’s trip to the South coast just got that bit more difficult.

Henry is an experienced football writer with a huge passion and knowledge of the game.

With over a decade of writing under his belt, he has been part of Snack Media’s freelance team since 2020. He is also a main contributor for This Is Anfield, one of the world’s biggest Reds-related sites, where he writes features and news, and covers matchday content, from live blogs to the dreaded Player Ratings.

Henry is a Liverpool fan, which you may have guessed, and has also written articles for the Times and the Guardian, as well as featured on the radio on BBC Radio 5 Live and LBC.

Over the years, he has also accumulated nearly 30,000 followers on Twitter and become a known voice on all things Red

The club are keen to tie another player down at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal are set to kick talks over a new contract for one of their star men into gear as Mikel Arteta continues to shape his squad at the Emirates Stadium, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

What’s the latest news involving Arsenal?
Premier League legend Peter Schmeichel has had his say regarding Arteta’s decision to rotate goalkeepers David Raya and Aaron Ramsdale at the Emirates Stadium and has questioned the merits of doing so.

The former Manchester United stopper stated to Premier League Productions via The Mirror: “We debate this Raya-Ramsdale situation a lot, and I only get that situation if Arteta thinks Raya is a better goalkeeper. That’s the only way I can find some kind of sense in it. I think having the competition between two goalkeepers, it will just create situations in the games where they will have to go and prove themselves, and that’s the one thing you don’t want from your goalkeepers.”

Raya returned to action between the sticks at the weekend in the Gunners’ 4-0 victory over Brentford following Arteta’s decision to start Ramsdale away to Brentford in midweek in a 1-0 triumph in the Carabao Cup third round, which will have given the Spaniard plenty food for thought as both performed admirably when called upon.

Arsenal forward Leandro Trossard could return to action when the Gunners visit Ligue 1 outfit Lens in the Champions League on Tuesday after he appeared on the bench and was an unused substitute in his side’s comfortable triumph at the Vitality Stadium, as per Football London.

Meanwhile, Sportmediaset via reports in Spain have claimed that the Gunners have entered the hunt to sign Santos striker Marcos Leonardo in the January transfer window.

Who could sign a new contract at Arsenal?
Transfer expert Romano has taken to social media platform X to offer some insight into Ben White potentially signing a new contract at the Emirates Stadium, as he stated: “Arsenal are working to extend Ben White’s contract as he’s next one in the list after Martin Ødegaard. Club very happy with his performances and attitude. New deal talks to advance soon.”

Poole-born White currently has three years left to run on his deal in north London and is believed to pick up a weekly wage of around £120,000 per week at Arsenal, Capology understands.

In 2023/24, White has made ten appearances in all competitions for Arsenal, registering one goal in the process against Bournemouth last weekend, as per Transfermarkt. Providing an element of combativeness and composure in possession, White has completed an average of 2.6 clearances this term alongside maintaining a passing accuracy of 87.2% in the Premier League, according to WhoScored.

Dubbed an “underrated” presence by pundit Michael Owen, White has also been a capable threat from an offensive perspective this campaign, successfully carrying out 20 shot-creating actions across his exploits in the English top-flight and Champions League, with one directly leading to a goal, as per FBRef.

Now, it is apparent that White is a key component of Arteta’s vision at the Emirates Stadium and it is understandable why the Spaniard would want to tie him down on improved terms.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sean Markus Clifford
(1471 Articles Published)
Journalist at Football FanCast, covering Premier League football, transfer rumours and more. Have worked for multiple digital outlets, such as GIVEMESPORT, The Sporting News, The Transfer Tavern and 67 Hail Hail focusing on all things football. Massive Celtic fan and a firm believer that Kyogo Furuhashi is the best since Henrik Larsson, also a big supporter of the Scotland National Team.