Jurgen Klopp Provides Injury Updates on Andy Robertson, Cody Gakpo and Others
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp provided an update on the injury status of several of his players ahead of the team’s meeting with Toulouse on Thursday.
Klopp confirmed that left-back Andy Robertson had undergone successful shoulder surgery and that recovery would begin soon. He did not specify a timeline for Robertson’s return, but it is expected to be at least 2024 before he is back in action.
The manager also provided good news on Cody Gakpo, who has been sidelined since the team’s match at Tottenham with a knee injury. Klopp said that Gakpo had been involved in training since Sunday and was available for selection.
Ben Doak, another option in Liverpool’s forward line, sustained a muscle injury during the international break and is in doubt for the fixture. Thiago and Stefan Bajcetic have yet to return to full training.
Andy Robertson Undergoes Shoulder Surgery
Liverpool made the decision for Robertson to undergo shoulder surgery after consulting with experts and that has now taken place, with the manager confirming “all went well.”
“Robbo had surgery, all went well,” Klopp said. “As good as it can be, recovery starts after soon as he wakes up. Think it happens this morning. Don’t know how long it will take, but the first step is done. That’s good.”
The road to recovery will be a long one for Robertson, who Liverpool will not see back in action until 2024.
Cody Gakpo Returns to Training
There were concerns over a lengthy spell out of the side for Gakpo, but he was involved in parts of training prior to the derby before being left out of the matchday squad. More than four days on from the win over Everton, the manager provided another update on the No. 18, telling reporters: “Cody is in full training now since Sunday, available for the squad. Whatever we will do with that we have to see. That is good as well.”
Prior to his injury, the 24-year-old had played in all but one match as Klopp effectively rotated his forward line with a myriad of options at his disposal.
Ben Doak In Doubt for Toulouse Match
Ben Doak has been one of those options, but the 17-year-old sustained a muscle injury during the international break and is in doubt for the fixture. As for Thiago and Stefan Bajcetic, neither have yet to return to full training.
The team will need to make do without several key players for Thursday’s match against Toulouse, but Klopp will be hoping that Gakpo can make an immediate impact and help fill the void left by Robertson and others.