Liverpool: Arne Slot provides Cody Gakpo injury update ahead of Man City clash | OneFootball

Gakpo missed Wednesday’s 2-2 draw with Aston Villa after being injured in the Merseyside derby

Liverpool are still sweating over the fitness of Cody Gakpo ahead of their Premier League showdown with Manchester City.

Gakpo’s fitness could be crucial for Liverpool on what could be another huge weekend in the Premier League title race.

Without Gakpo, Darwin Nunez missed a sitter for Liverpool at Aston Villa as they dropped more points.

The draw at Villa Park means Liverpool are eight point above Arsenal, but the Gunners have a game in hand and close to within five points when they play West Ham on Saturday.

Liverpool are also set to be without right-back Conor Bradley this weekend after he limped off with a hamstring injury against Aston Villa.

Bradley is due to undergo further assessment in the coming days, but he is expected to miss the next two games at least.

“We don’t know yet, but I would be completely surprised if he is involved in the Sunday game or the Wednesday game against Newcastle,” said Slot. “You can assume that is not going to happen.

Slot also revealed in his press conference on Thursday morning that he is having to manage the minutes of Diogo Jota and Trent Alexander-Arnold.

“These two players are not injured, but they come back from an injury,” said Slot.

“That’s also the reason why they don’t play 90 minutes five times in a row in 15 days, because that would be a big risk. We could see this yesterday with Conor Bradley.

“Who takes out two players that are playing well? That is only because it’s a big injury risk to keep them in the team.

“So when I drove up I was listening to talkSPORT and I don’t know who he is, but his name was Mark Lawrenson or something like this.

“And he simply couldn’t understand that I took Trent out [against Aston Villa], which I understand from his perspective because he played so well and he just scored a goal. But now maybe he does.”