Cody Gakpo injury news looks set to give ‘outstanding’ Liverpool player chance to shine against Wolves

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Arne Slot could be without Cody Gakpo for Liverpool’s clash with Wolves on Sunday.

The Dutch star has stepped up massively for the Reds this season across the 36 games he has featured in, producing 16 goals and five assists.

The 25-year-old has made the left-wing role his own this season, however, Liverpool could be without Gakpo for their clash with Wolves this weekend.

Liverpool will also be without Curtis Jones on Sunday after the midfielder picked up a red card against Everton on Wednesday, with these absences offering players the chance to step up.

One man who can capitalise on Gakpo’s setback is Diogo Jota as the Portuguese star looks to put his injury woes behind him between now and the end of the season.

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Liverpool need Diogo Jota to step up

Jota was Slot’s preferred option for the number nine role in his team heading into the start of the 2024/25 campaign and the 28-year-old rewarded his manager’s faith by starting the season impressively.

Muscle injuries would derail Jota’s season and as a result, the Portuguese star lost his place in Slot’s starting 11 to Gakpo, with the Dutch forward moved out to the left with Luis Diaz being deployed through the middle.

Liverpool will consider moving Jota on this summer as the forward is out of contract in 2027 and is too injury-prone to be relied upon.

For now, Slot needs Jota to step up and Gakpo’s fitness issue may open the path for the Portugal international to start against Wolves.

Jota’s injury issues are a shame for the player as the former Wolves star is arguably the best finisher in the Reds’ squad and would be a nailed-on starter at Anfield if he could keep fit.

If handed the chance to start Sunday, the 28-year-old needs to grab the opportunity with both hands, which is something the Portuguese talent is known to do.

Pundit Clinton Morrison labelled Jota as ‘outstanding’ for his cameo against Nottingham Forest last month, in which the Reds forward rescued a point for his team.

The former Wolves star will be motivated to make an impact on Liverpool’s push for the title and that starts this weekend against his old club.

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Diogo Jota ‘ready to go’ for the rest of Liverpool’s season

Jota recently declared his love for Liverpool and will be highly motivated to win his first Premier League title with the Reds this season.

Ahead of the Wolves game on Sunday, the Portuguese star has told Liverpool FC’s media team that he is ‘ready to go’ for the rest of the campaign.

“I’m now ready to go, everyone will have the chance because there is a tough schedule so everyone is going to be helpful for the team and hopefully everyone can contribute,” Jota stated.

This will be music to Liverpool fans’ ears as the Anfield faithful are fully aware of the impact the forward can have on the remainder of their season.

There are still three trophies up for grabs and a fully fit Jota will increase the chances of Slot’s squad bringing them back to Merseyside.