Cody Gakpo hands Liverpool injury blow before Atletico tie but Reds star returns

But Joe Gomez is back in contention having been absent for six weeks with a muscle problem.

Gakpo has been Liverpool’s standout performer during the opening weeks of new head coach Andoni Iraola’s reign with a goal and three assists in the first three Premier League games.

The Dutchman, though, has complained of tightness in a muscle and was not involved in the session at the AXA Training Centre on Tuesday afternoon.

The possible absence of Gakpo increases the chance of £123million signing Bradley Barcola making a first Liverpool start having made his debut from the bench at Ipswich Town last Friday.

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Gomez, meanwhile, has been out since picking up an injury in the opening pre-season friendly against Sunderland in Nashville on July 25.

Young trio Lewis Koumas, Luke Chambers and James McConnell were part of the squad training ahead of the visit of Atletico.

Wataru Endo was also among those being put through their paces despite not being included in the Champions League squad for the league stage.

Federico Chiesa, though, remains sidelined with a back problem while similarly not included in Liverpool’s Champions League squad.

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